Tag Archives: Peter Baye

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Peter Baye had a fun sighting recently. He wrote, “An hour before sunset, I saw a small bird that I first thought was a Spotted Towhee from its movements. However, the round head revealed it was a daytime appearance of a Northern Pygmy Owl. It must be fairly hungry after last week’s long rains, since they can’t hunt well with the din of raindrops. It didn’t seem to mind my staring and taking photos.”

I love owls so I was happy to see this photo. Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share it with you here.

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Fuller Creek is part of the Gualala River and it's found on Fuller Mountain near Annapolis. Peter Baye photographed it after six inches of rain fell in one day last week.

Peter said it was a roaring whitewater, cascading down about 150 feet down to the main fork of the creek. Peter wrote, "I've never seen or heard it right after a heavy rain like this. It's like a little bit of the Sierras on the Gualala. This photo was taken just at the top where the sun was still on it at 5 pm."

One more small storm predicted for tomorrow, and then a stretch of sunny days and starry nights.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photo with you  here.

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Allen Vinson spotted this small green treefrog recently. The "eyeliner," the black line than runs on either side of his face are unique to Sierran Treefrogs. They are also called Chorus Frogs, as they have a loud call.

This is mating season. The male has a vocal sac that expands when he calls. Peter Baye captured this amazing sight.

Surely this treefrog will attract a mate!

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

It is very cold here on the Mendonoma coast today. It was 34 degrees this morning. We are having showers, rainbows, hail...what could be next? Frogs!

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Peter Baye recently shared several photos he recently took of native wildflowers. The first is Purple Owls-Clover, Castilleja Exserta Latifolia.

This beautiful, small wildflower has medicinal qualities, used for rheumatism and as an astringent.

Peter also photographed Dune Tansy, Tanacetum camphoratum.

As you  might suspect, this wildflower grows in sand dunes. It's a member of the Aster family and has a camphor-like smell.

And here is Western Water-Hemlock, Cicuta douglasii.This is an extremely poisonous plant which needs water to thrive.

Lastly is Mendocino Paintbrush, Castilleja mendocinensis, a plant only found on the Mendocino coast.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his 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.