Monthly Archives: May 2016

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Mary Sue Ittner was out with the Thursday Ramblers, a weekly hiking group. Last Thursday they went to the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. Here are some of Mary Sue's discoveries. The first is Mule's Ears, Wyethia angustifolia. The narrow leaves are said to be edible and it's a member of the Sunflower family.

Mule's Ears, Wyethia angustifolia, by Mary Sue IttnerNext is Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium. It's a member of the Sunflower family, and its bloom is fragrant. It is purported to have medicinal qualities.

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, by Mary Sue IttnerAnd finally Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris. A member of the Lily family, it is also called Ground Brodiaea.

Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris, by Mary Sue IttnerThanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Barbara Thrush spotted this Tom Turkey showing off his beautiful tail feathers, obviously hoping to impress a Hen or two.

Tom Turkey displaying by Barbara ThrushThe males really have a lot of color, don't they? Siegfried Matull once photographed a male Tom Turkey flying from a  hedgerow on The Sea Ranch.

Siegfried's Wild Turkey flying out of a hedgerow by Siegfried MatullIt is thought these turkeys are not native here, but others disagree. We know they are here now and can be seen occasionally right alongside Highway One.

Thanks to Barbara and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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One of the most photographed birds on the Mendonoma Coast, Great Blue Herons are beautiful to see. Laura Cover photographed one taking off from the bell tower of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Point Arena, a study in elegance.

Great Blue Heron by Laura CoverAnother fun photo of a GBH taking off was taken by Robert Scarola.

Great Blue Heron Lift off by Robert ScarolaAnd one last photo of a Great Blue Heron taking flight, this one by Craig Tooley.

Great Blue Heron by Craig Tooley high resGreat Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

In all of these photos, it looks foggy. There is no fog on the coast today. It's warm with very little wind. Abalone divers were out this morning with the minus tide, and every pullout had vehicles. Hope everyone had a safe, successful dive.

Thanks to Laura, Robert, and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Paul Batchelder captured a sweet moment when he photographed this tiny fawn nursing. It had to reach up as high as it could to reach mom!

Newborn fawn nursing by Paul Batchelder

The holiday weekend is upon us and the coast is clear. Yes, no fog. It's going to be a wonderful time to be on the Mendonoma Coast!

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Denise Gilmer noticed this Caterpillar, and I must say it isn't pretty! That's a face only a mother could love.

American Painted Lady, Vanessa virginiensis, Caterpillar by Denise GilmerBut, like the ugly duckling, it turns into a beautiful butterfly, an American Painted Lady. The photo below was taken by Robert Van Syoc.

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Thanks to Denise and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.