Tag Archives: Chris Pechal

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On Sunday Mel Smith found this Monarch nectaring on a butterfly bush in Point Arena.

And Chris Pechal found two Monarchs at The Sea Ranch. In the photo on the left, you can tell it's a male Monarch because of the two black dots on its lower wings. He is nectaring on thistle. In the other photo, the beautiful Monarch is nectaring on Coyote Bush.

These Monarchs come to the coast to feed before their journey to their overwintering sites. They live approximately seven months, and are called the Methuselah generation. We hope to see many more Monarchs in the days ahead.

Thanks to Mel and Chris for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Warm today - no fog at all. It's a spectacular autumn day!

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I have never found one of these beauties. But Chris Pechal found this blooming at The Sea Ranch recently. It's called Pleated Gentian, Gentian affinis.

I shared Chris’ photo with botanist Peter Baye. He confirmed the ID, writing, “Definitely Gentian affinis. That’s an exceptionally pure and large-spotted one. It is distributed right along the immediate coast in well-drained sandy marine terrace soils. There are some old records of it near you in Anchor Bay, and Amy Ruegg reported one from Sea Ranch.” I’ll be looking at my place in Anchor Bay. I have well-drained sandy soil!

Breezy and cooler today, temps in the low 70's.

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Chris Pechal found her hummingbird feeder emptied each morning. She finally photographed the culprit - a Gray Fox.

And Acorn Woodpeckers have been known to take their share. The first photo was taken by David Presotto.

And the second photo by Jon Loveless.

It's rare, but once or twice a Black Bear has been seen drinking all the sugar water.

Thanks to Chris, David and Jon for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's a little warmer today, but breezy right at the coast. BONUS SIGHTING FROM TODAY: There are white caps on the ocean but that didn't stop my sister, Linda Bostwick, and her husband, Mel Smith, from seeing a small group of Humpback Whales from their home in Point Arena. Linda said they breached more than fifty times, and did hundreds of tail slaps. The show went on for nearly an hour.

 

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A few years ago, Chris Pechal and I found a rare white Calypso Orchid  alongside one of the public access trails on The Sea Ranch. She recently spotted it and got this great photo.

For comparison, here are normal-colored Calypso Orchids as photographed by Amy Ruegg. Amy's dog Sydney is photo-bombing the photo!

Thanks to Chris and Amy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The day started out sunny but this afternoon some clouds have moved in. It's in the mid-sixties and just a gentle breeze.

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Summer is when the Leopard Lilies bloom. Chris Pechal found this beauty recently.

Lilium pardalinum is their Scientific name and they are endemic to California. A legend warns that if you sniff these wildflowers, you will get freckles!

Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Fog over the ocean has kept the immediate coast very pleasant today and there is very little wind. As many other places are sweltering in high heat, I am always grateful for the summer fog that keeps the Mendonoma Coast cool.