Eric Zetterholm noticed this Gray Whale feeding just off of the beach at Gualala Point Regional Park.
That whale is certainly quite close to shore! We believe this is one of the younger Gray Whales that didn't migrate to points north. This whale and others are finding enough food off the Mendonoma Coast, a wonderful development.
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Foggy and mild on the coast today.
Paul and Jackie Brewer have a front row seat to watch for whales from their Gualala home. Last week a pod of Humpback Whales was seen feeding. Here you can see the spouts of three Humpbacks.
And here is the tail of a Humpback Whale.
In this next photo you can see another tail photo but there's a line of what Paul thought might be fish. Upon closer examination, whale expert Scott Mercer determined they were "many, many California Sea Lions." There must have been a LOT of forage fish in the ocean.
More whales were seen yesterday, including two spouts seen by me as Rick and I drove home from Santa Rosa. The spouts were seen south of Fort Ross. It never gets old see a whale...never.
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
Rick and I have an abelia bush with lovely small flowers. Butterflies and Bees absolutely love it. I recently photographed one of the many Painted Lady Butterflies feeding on it.
Beautiful warm weather on the coast today. Perfect for butterflies!
This is the time of year we have daily sightings of Monarch Butterflies. These are the members of the Methuselah generation, the longer-lived butterflies that will migrate south. They are feeding and gathering strength for their migration. I saw this one feeding on my abelia bush and then resting on a nearby leaf.
Catherine Miller photographed this Monarch feeding on her lantana.
Today is the autumnal equinox. What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons with photos of Monarch Butterflies.
Thanks to Catherine for allowing me to share her photo with you here. Happy autumn, everyone!
There is a flowering plant, a red hot poker plant, that attracts bees and hummingbirds. Allen has focused his camera on it and has been rewarded with some beautiful Anna's hummingbird photos.
It must look like a smorgasbord to the hummer! Anna's Hummingbirds are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. In the winter the early blooming native manzanitas sustain these living jewels.
Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here.