I think of The Prince, Agaricus augustus, as a summer mushroom. With the dry weather we've been having on the Coast, this mushroom has bloomed early.
Mark Hancock recently photographed a group of them on the Gualala Arts Center grounds. In the first photo you see Mark's hand to give you the scale.
Gifts of the forest! Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
After a long winter off Abalone season finally opens tomorrow. Whether conditions allow for safe diving is another matter.
April 1st also is the start of watching for the first Harbor Seal pups born on beaches of the Mendonoma Coast. They are very vulnerable, especially to unleashed dogs and well-meaning people who think the pups need to rescued when they don't see the mother. The pups are fine. The mother has gone to feed. If you truly think a pup is in distress, call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-7350. They will send a trained local volunteer to assess the situation.
Mark Hancock recently photographed some of the year round residents off Tide Pool Beach on The Sea Ranch and I thank him for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
To see a sweet photo of a Harbor Seal pup with its mom, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/27/sweet-photo-of-a-harbor-seal-pup-with-its-mom-taken-by-craig-tooley/
And to whet your appetite for abalone season, here's a link to a successful abalone hunt: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/28/ken-bailey-dove-for-abalone-off-the-mendonoma-coast-and-came-home-with-a-hubcap-size-beauty/
Last month Mark Hancock was driving along Highway One when the sun was about to set. He pulled over and took a series of photos. This one looks just like a golden tornado, don't you agree?
I mentioned to Mark that these are the conditions to look for to see the green flash. He said there was a green flash that night but he missed getting the photograph. I can relate.
To see a green flash that occurred earlier this month, here's the link to Tom Eckle's photo: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/03/08/the-green-flash-as-photographed-by-tom-eckles/
Mark Hancock caught a beautiful photo of a Red-tailed Hawk resting in a tree with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
This is our most common Hawk. I love their call. You can hear it for yourself at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology web site using this link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-tailed_Hawk/id/ac
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here.