Mark Ricci noticed this colorful moth. It's a Ctenucha Multifaria Moth.
This moth is a member of the Erebidae family. It is found in California and western Oregon. It's a day-flying moth and has been nicknamed the 4th of July moth, as it appears in July. Notice the antennae - Mark got a wonderful photo of this colorful moth!
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Acmon Blue butterflies, Plebejus acmon, have a delicate beauty. They are quite tiny, just .8 to 1 inch wingspan. Perhaps many of us pass by without noticing them, but not Mark Ricci.
This butterfly is found mostly in California, but can be seen north to Oregon and south to Baja.
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Mark Ricci noticed the big hawk land on a wire.
Then the Red-tailed Hawk spotted something, something tasty to eat!
The hawk swooped down and nabbed this rodent.
It ate the rodent, tossed away the fur, and then returned to the wire to look for its next meal.
To hear the screaming calls of these hawks, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They even have a recording of an 11 day old chick. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-tailed_Hawk/sounds
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
We have been on "Al" watch since late last month and we were beginning to think this unique Laysan Albatross wasn't going to grace us with its presence this winter. There was a possible sighting on Dec. 6th by a visitor from Chicago but there was no confirmation by others and no photo. Nancy Morin saw Al on Saturday, Dec. 22nd and her sighting was confirmed.
Mark Ricci photographed surfer Kim Swenson interacting with "Al" in the late afternoon on Dec. 24th.
To learn more about Point Arena's most famous visitor, here's the link to the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society: http://www.mendocinocoastaudubon.org/mcas_al.html It has a schedule of Al's (or Alice's) comings and goings.
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see a close-up photo of Al, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/12/06/al-the-laysan-albatross-returned-yesterday/