The Snowy Egret is a small white Heron with black legs and yellow feet. They are found near ponds and by the ocean's shores.
To hear what they sound like, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Egret/sounds.
What I like about Craig's photo is the Snowy Egret's head plumes. Reminds me of a bad hair day or perhaps static electricity!
If you'd like to see more of Craig'd work, go to:http://ruffimage.com/
Judy and Frank Mello have a wonderful preserve for endangered African animals right in Point Arena called the B. Bryan Preserve. You can see the exotic critters grazing in the fields as you drive up Riverside Drive.
Judy sent me a great photo if a young Grevy's Zebra, which is very startled by the appearance of a Gopher. I imagine the zebra saying, "Mom! What the heck???" It made me laugh and I hope you enjoy it too.
This would be a fantastic place to stay when visiting the Mendonoma Coast. Afternoon tours are also offered by appointment. Here's their web site to learn more. http://www.bbryanpreserve.com/
Harbor Seals come to a safe cove on The Sea Ranch and other secluded places on the Mendonoma Coast in the spring. They are very endearing, which makes for some wonderful photos. Craig Tooley sent me this sweet photo showing the interaction and love between a pup and its mom.
To see more of Craig's photos, go to: http://web.me.com/theruffians1
If you are visiting the Mendonoma Coast, a trip to the Point Arena Lighthouse is a great stop. There's a museum, a gift shop and the restored lighthouse itself. It's a great spot for seeing wildlife, including River Otters, Brown Pelicans and Whales. It's also a great spot for spectacular sunsets as evidenced in Rae Radtkey's photo below. I thank her for allowing me to share it here with you.
To learn more about this landmark, go to http://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/
Peter Baye, camera in hand, went exploring at Ten Mile Dunes, which is north of Fort Bragg. On the dunes Peter found some rare wildflowers, the first one being Howell's Spineflower, Chorizanthe howellii. It's an annual herb that is native and endemic to California. In fact, Cal-Flora only shows this flower in Mendocino County. It is listed as threatened by the State of California and listed as endangered by the federal government.
Another rare wildflower found was Menzies' Wallflower, Erysimum menziesii. It's a perennial herb and another endangered California native.
I have two more to show you but they will have to wait for another day! Thanks to Peter for allowing me to show you these beauties.