Tag Archives: Betsy Anderson

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Karen Wilkinson found this Great Blue Heron, and he/she was apparently looking at her.

I wondered if the Heron was laughing at her. But Karen disabused my whimsy. She said she thinks the Heron was actually hacking up a feather!

Here's one of my favorite photos of a Great Blue Heron taking off, by Betsy Anderson

And here is a Great Blue Heron cloud, as photographed by Marilyn Green.

Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

Thanks to Karen, Betsy and Marilyn for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Oh boy, we're having a big, fat, wet storm. Two inches so far, and it's raining as I type this!

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Betsy Anderson came across this unusual Douglas Iris a few weeks ago. I never seen an Iris with four petals.

Amy Ruegg took a look at Betsy's photo and wrote, “This Iris looks to me to be a deformed Douglas Iris with extra tepals. In horticulture, cultivating for more petals than normal in a flower is desirable. I have seen this happen in other species on occasion. I have also seen an unusual trillium with four leaves. Perhaps it’s the four leaf clover of the Iris blossom!”

Here's a look at a "normal" Douglas Iris, taken by Craig Tooley.

It's possible the warm weather we had this past winter might have prompted this anomaly. Here's a look at the Trillium Amy mentioned.

Sometimes Mother Nature is just having fun! Thanks to Betsy, Amy and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Clouds are pouring in as another storm is headed our way. Precursor showers arrived late this afternoon. My season to date rain total is 46.60 inches. A "normal" year is 50 inches so things are looking good here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Betsy Anderson photographed a graceful Great Blue Heron at the moment he/she lifted off, a glorious sight indeed. Just look at those big wings!

Great Blue Herons can be seen fishing with their beaks. They also hunt rodents, such as gophers, in grassy meadows. In flight, these herons tuck in their necks, and their legs trail behind. Sara Bogard photographed one in flight for us to see.

Thanks to Betsy and Sara for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Fog has cooled off the immediate coast, though I'm in sun here in Anchor Bay. It's a pretty Spring day on the Mendonoma Coast.