Tag Archives: Point Arena – Stornetta Lands

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On a recent walk at the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands, Bob Rutemoeller found several native wildflowers in bloom. The first is Goldfields, Lasthenia californica, a member of the Sunflower family. This wildflower can bloom in big carpets of yellow on coastal bluffs.

Goldfields, Lasthenia california, by Bob RutemoellerNext is Earth Brodiaea, also called Ground Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris. It's a member of the Lily family.

Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris ssp. terrestris, by Bob RutemoellerAnd last is Coast Onion, also called Wild Onion, Allium dichlamydeum, another member of the Lily family.

Coast Onion, Allium dichlamydeum, by Bob RutemoellerThanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photos with you here. This has been a wonderful spring for native wildflowers!

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Mary Sue Ittner was out with the Thursday Ramblers, a weekly hiking group. Last Thursday they went to the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. Here are some of Mary Sue's discoveries. The first is Mule's Ears, Wyethia angustifolia. The narrow leaves are said to be edible and it's a member of the Sunflower family.

Mule's Ears, Wyethia angustifolia, by Mary Sue IttnerNext is Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium. It's a member of the Sunflower family, and its bloom is fragrant. It is purported to have medicinal qualities.

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, by Mary Sue IttnerAnd finally Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris. A member of the Lily family, it is also called Ground Brodiaea.

Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris, by Mary Sue IttnerThanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Michael Beattie noticed this pair of Canada geese on a 40 foot tall rocky pinnacle off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. The Point Arena Lighthouse is in the distance.

Canada geese nesting off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands by Michael Beattie Nesting Canada Goose by Michael Beattie

Michael watched the nest and, sure enough, there was a successful hatch of cute little goslings.

Canada geese goslings by Michael Beattie

It wasn't long before one of the parents was demonstrating to the goslings what they should do - "fly" down to the water.

Follow me - a Canada goose showing its offspring the way to the water by Michael Beattie

The other parent urges them on from behind. Bird expert, Diane Hichwa, says they should have been able to make it safely to the water. The little ones are so light, perhaps they just floated down!

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photos with you here, thus showing you this wildlife story.

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Margaret Lindgren spotted Western Dog Violets blooming on the southern portion of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. They are so beautiful and a real treat to find.

Western Dog Violets by Margaret Lindgren

This wildflower is found in moist meadows. It has medicinal qualities - a tea made from dried leaves purportedly treats stomach distress. And the flowers are used to make purple dye. I'd rather just look at this little beauty in its natural abode.

A big storm is hitting the coast - lots of rain and wind. It's an exciting time to be here, experiencing the full force of the storm.

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photo with  you here. To learn of Margaret's hiking/tour business, here is her website: http://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/index.html

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Margaret Lindgren spends a lot of time showing visitors some of the special places on the coast, as she is the owner of Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours. On a recent tour the sun was creating rainbow waves.

A Rainbow Wave by Margaret Lindgren

Margaret took this photo from a bluff of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands.

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To learn about the great tours available, here is her website: http://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/