Randy Jones was walking a local beach when he noticed this bit of an abalone shell in the shape of a heart.
Randy showed it to Mel Smith and me recently, and Mel took this photo on the shell resting on Randy's hand. I love seeing hearts in nature.
Thanks to Mel for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Sparkling blue skies and cool weather here on the Mendonoma coast today.
There has been a pretty good bloom of Sweet Tooth Hedgehogs mushrooms, Hydnum repandum. The ones found have been big and meaty. Lita Gitt shows her bounty of Hedgehogs and a lone Chanterelle on the right.
Randy Jones found the biggest Sweet Tooth Hedgehog he's ever seen. Mel Smith photographed him with his find.
These are considered beginners mushrooms - easy to identify, no bad look-alike, and bugs leave them alone. They have a mild flavor so it's best to let them shine. I often put them on top an omelet.
Thanks to Lita and Mel for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Most local Abalone divers have not gone out yet, as conditions are pretty rough. Wind and swells make it tough on divers. That hasn't stopped some visitors to the Mendonoma Coast though. There are divers in the water today.
To whet your appetite, here is a photo taken by Mark Simkins from late last year. Randy Jones got a 10.5 inch Abalone. So that's why he looks so happy!
Please be safe and give the Pacific Ocean the deference she is owed. To read Jack Likins important article on why divers die in their search for red treasure, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2013/05/21/why-abalone-divers-die-in-their-hunt-for-red-treasure/
Thanks to Mark and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig Tooley's nature photographs, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com