We wonder when this elk's hormones will kick in and he will leave the Mendocino coast in search of a mate. But for now, he seems content to hang out with a herd of domestic cows on a farm north of Point Arena. Ferne Fedeli recently photographed him with his growing antlers.
He looks pretty darn handsome, don't you think?
Thanks to Ferne for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Margaret Lindgren and Harmony Susalla had permission to hike to this magnificent rock, which in Mendocino County.
The two women climbed the rock, but it wasn't an easy assent. Margaret took this photo from the top. She said they could see the Point Arena Lighthouse in the distance.
A dramatic photo of Harmony being embraced by the sun on top of this rock will be in tomorrow's edition of the Independent Coast Observer.
Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Cute as can be, a Burrowing Owl was recently photographed by Coastal photographer Ron LeValley.
Here's what Ron wrote about his photo: "The burrowing owl that I posted a photo of in January is still present. They usually don't stay on the coast in the spring and summer, as they nest inland. But this one is still here. It's unusual to see a Burrowing Owl with ice plant.This photograph was taken at MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino County, California on March 17, 2013."
This small Owl eats insects. To hear its call, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/burrowing_owl/sounds
We have had little rain for the first two months of 2013. We are hoping and praying for more. We did have a very cold storm sweep through last week. It gave Nik Epanchin a change to get a beautiful rainbow photo.
Today feels like springtime here on the Coast. It's in the mid sixties and I have windows and doors open to the warm soft air. Does this sound like February to you?!
Thanks to Nik for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Tundra Swans, Cygnus columbianus, overwinter on the floodplains of the Garcia River. Last year, with our drier than normal winter, brought just a handful of these beautiful white swans. Eight were spotted last week. Richard Kuehn photographed four Tundra Swans in flight recently, always a thrilling sight.
We hope to have hundreds in residence soon. Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share his photo with you here.