At a recent low tide, Catherine Miller found lots of beautiful animals living in the intertidal zone. Sea Anemones and Ochre Sea Stars are living jewels.
The next King Tides are Dec. 13 to 15. Look for the super low tides that come with this event and head for a beach near you!
Thanks to Catherine for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
High pressure rules the weather - cold, starry nights and sunny days. Where's our rain?
Pat Maxwell found this Anise Swallowtail Butterfly on her appropriately-named Butterfly bush.
And Catherine Miller spotted this Pale Swallowtail Butterfly feeding on the geraniums in her garden recently.
The other swallowtail we commonly see here on the coast is a Western Tiger Swallowtail. This photo was taken some years ago by Peter Baye. This lovely butterfly is feeding on one of my favorite native wildflowers, the Leopard Lily.
Thanks to Pat, Catherine and Peter for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Today is simply one of the most beautiful days on the Mendonoma Coast - sunny, bright with a gently breeze.
Right on time, the first blooming Pacific Rhododendrons have been seen. Catherine Miller photographed one over the past weekend.
We call them wild Rhodies. They are native from southern British Columbia to Northern California. Their scientific name is Rhododendron macrophyllum, which literally means, “Rose tree with big leaves.” Here's a closeup of a blossom Catherine took in a prior year.
Thanks to Catherine for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Another sunny, warm, breezy day in Anchor Bay. I see fog over the ocean so perhaps it is foggy to our north. Lots of micro climates here on the Mendonoma Coast!
The wild rhodies are blooming because Spring doesn't know.
Sara Bogard spotted this River Otter in the Pacific Ocean off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands.
Yes, North American River Otters swim in the ocean, in rivers and creeks, and can walk on land. Here's a photo of of River Otter tracks taken by Catherine Miller - five toes!
And a favorite photo taken by Rich Kuehn of a River Otter eating octopus.
Thanks to Sara, Catherine and Rich for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Holly McCarroll found this beauty, a delicious edible Porcini, aka King Bolete, aka Boletus edulis.
Catherine Miller found a pristine King Bolete today north of Gualala. It's been a strange year for the earlier mushrooms. Winter mushrooms are beginning to appear. The first Matsutakes have appeared, as have the first Hedgehogs. More to come in the days ahead!
Thanks to Holly for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Sunny and mild today - temps in the mid 60's. We know it won't last, but we are enjoying the warmth today. Happy New Year!