Tag Archives: Mary Hunter

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Mary Hunter was out with friends looking for wildflowers. The hike didn't disappoint. She found the white version of Baby Blue Eyes, nemophila menziesii var. atomaria.

And the unique Mission Bells, fritilaria affinis. 

Here Mary photographed Red Larkspur and Buttercups, Mother Nature's garden.

A wonderful place to see wildflowers now is Manchester State Park. On a recent hike, I found the normal blue-colored Baby Blue Eyes in profusion, a charming sight. And Paintbrush in various colors, and so much more.

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

Today it is warm with no wind. 78 degrees at my place in Anchor Bay.

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Wild Ginger, Asarum caudatum, is blooming  now on the Mendonoma coast. Mary Hunter photographed an early bloomer in mid-February. Isn't the flower incredible?

It's the heart-shaped leaves that give this native wildflower its common name - they smell of ginger. Look for Wild Ginger in shaded forest floors and it's evergreen.

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

Another sunny day in paradise, though we may get some colder and wet weather coming in Saturday night. Bring it, Mother Nature!

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Mary and Dard Hunter had a Chestnut-backed Chickadee nest in their birdhouse. Can you see the chick peeking out the hole?

Mary took this photo, headed into town to do a few errands, and by the time she returned, her husband, Dard, told her the chicks had fledged!

Here's a close-up of one of these beautiful, little birds, taken by Dorise Ford. It's unusual for a chickadee to be at a seed feeder, as they are insect eaters. Maybe this chickadee was just resting!

Here is a map showing their range.

image of range map for Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Rick and I also had a family of these chickadees this year in a birdhouse we had attached to a tree. Now we are hearing the fledglings in the trees. They travel in fairly large groups, sometimes accompanied by Pygmy Nuthatches. I love their chirping calls, one of which is "chick-a-dee-dee."

Thanks to Mary and Dorise for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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It's been downright hot if you get a little ways away from the bluffs and beaches, though today it cooled off a bit. Butterflies have been flitting through, delighting our senses. Recently Mary Hunter photographed a Pale Swallowtail Butterfly.

This beautiful butterfly was feeding - nectaring - on Mary's lavender blossoms. Pretty as a picture!

A close relative is a Western Tiger Swallowtail, with similar markings. This butterfly is feeding on a native wildflower, Leopard Lily, and was taken by Peter Baye.

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Thanks to Mary and Peter for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Mary Hunter thought she had found a colorful wildflower in the grasses on a recent hike with friends. It turned out to be a moth that is only seen in the summer months - an Elegant Sheep Moth, Hemileuca eglanterina.

Elegant Sheep Moth by Mary Hunter

This beautiful moth is a native of California and feeds on Ceanothus, Coffeeberry and the Rose family.

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