Tag Archives: Mendocino coast

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I am lucky, lucky, lucky to live where Ospreys choose to nest. There has been an active Osprey nest on our road every year since Rick and I have lived here, which is going on 15 years. Directly in front of our house, due west and about 1/2 mile away, a young Osprey pair have built a nest the past two years but have been unsuccessful in hatching any chicks. We hope this will be the year. They have been busy rebuilding the nest that completely blew down over the winter. Yesterday four Ravens attacked the nest and the male Osprey was magnificent, wheeling, diving and chasing the Ravens away. The female stayed on the nest and flapped her big wings when a Raven got too close. After ten minutes of battle, the Ravens flew off and peace once more reigned on the Mendocino Coast.

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Wildflowers burst into bloom this week on the Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts with just a few days of warm sunny weather. On a drive down Highway One a few days ago, Rick and I saw the first Lupine in bloom. Wild Iris - Douglas Iris - caught our eyes with their brilliant splashes of blue. Bright orange Poppies, California's state flower, have joined in the party. The wildflowers in the forest are a bit more subtle but worth your attention too. The beautiful False Solomon Seal has just bloomed and the forest floor is carpeted with the yellow-faced Redwood Violets.

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The charming blue Forget-me-nots are blooming on the Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts in sunny spots. This wildflower has more than one legend attributed to it but the one I like is this one. A knight and his lady were walking alongside a river when he spotted these lovely flowers on the other side. He lept into the waters, made it to the other side and picked some flowers for his lady love. Alas, when he tried to return the waters swept him away. He just had time to toss the tiny blue flowers to his lady, calling out, "Forget me not!"

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A group of delicate five-petaled Windflowers survived the rains to bloom in the sunshine today. They are also called Wood Anemone and are members of the Buttercup family. I once touched one and it fell apart! So I am careful to admire them from a distance. In the bottom of the picture is a piece of lichen that fell out of a tree during a recent storm. It feels like spring is finally here on the Mendocino Coast today.

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Only when the Mendocino Coast receives significant rain does this hidden grotto come to life. With warmer weather to come, this will soon be gone but in its place will be the lovely wildflowers of spring. The first forget-me-nots have begun to bloom.