Tag Archives: endangered

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California Red-legged Frogs are a treat to see. Their numbers are down and they are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. Chris Pechal, on a biotic survey on The Sea Ranch, photographed one of these frogs in Salal Creek.

It's good to see this frog is thriving at Salal Creek!

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

Oh my, the day started off HOT, with the thermometer moving past 90 degrees by 9 am! But the wind picked up early this afternoon and the temp went down to 80, thank goodness. The ocean was flat calm this morning. Here's a photo from our deck taken at dawn this morning. There's the full moon low in the sky. The fog is AWOL!

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These reddish frogs are on the endangered species list. Roberta Chan spotted one at the campground at Gualala Point Regional Park on July 30th. The campground is near the banks of the Gualala River.

CA Red-legged Frog found 73116 by Roberta ChanRoberta previously photographed one in the same area in January of this year in the gravel bank of the Gualala River.

California Red-legged frog by Roberta ChanThis rare frog is found almost entirely in California. To learn more about this frog, here is a link to an interesting article: http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/amphibians-reptiles-and-fish/california-red-legged-frog.aspx

Thanks to Roberta for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Nancy Trissel was on a hike when she came across this endangered frog, the California Red-legged Frog, Rana draytonii.

California Red-legged Frog by Nancy Trissel

This frog is only found in California and a small part of Baja California. They are in serious decline due to habitat loss but they can be seen here on the Mendonoma Coast. They lay their eggs in the upper reaches of the Gualala River.

Here is another photo of this frog, taken by Darrell Paige.

California Red-Legged Frog by Darrell Paige (Large)

This frog is one of the many reasons we have to vigilant to make sure our watershed is protected from development.

Thanks to Nancy and Darrell for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Last Thursday Allen Vinson had his camera in hand when he and Craig Gilliland spotted a huge spout.

The tall spout of a Blue Whale by Allen Vinson

Then a second whale appeared.

Two Blue Whales by Allen Vinson

I wonder if this might be a mother/calf pair. The Blue Whales were quite a ways out - Allen was using his long lens to get these photos. Here are a few more looks.

Blue Whale 2 by Allen Vinson Blue Whale 3 by Allen Vinson

This last photo shows you what Allen and Craig were seeing from the bluffs. This is the time of year we are more likely to see a Blue Whale, the largest creature on earth. Very much endangered still, as their numbers have been slow to increase after whaling was stopped.

It's a wonderful sighting, that's for sure. And two Minke Whales were spotted earlier the same day.

Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Margaret Lindgren leads hikes here on the Mendonoma Coast. On a hike last month she discovered a rare and endangered wildflower, Supple Daisy, Erigeron Supplex. She found it on The Sea Ranch and I understand there are more of these flowers on the Point Arena/Stornetta Lands.

Supple Daisy by Margaret LindgrenClose-up of Supple Daisy by Margaret Lindgren

I haven't seen this native wildflower yet but hope to see it next year.

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To learn about the various hikes Margaret offers, here is her website: www.unbeatenpath.weebly.com