Tag Archives: Ron LeValley

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Risso's Dolphins usually can't be seen from coastal bluffs, but a pod came close enough for Eric Zetterholm to photograph them with his long lens.

Risso's Dolphins follow their food source, Squid. Their bodies are marked with scratches from their encounters with the Squids' beaks. Risso's Dolphins are quite acrobatic. It's a treat to see them.

Here are two close-ups of a Risso's take by Ron LeValley on a pelagic trip.

Thanks to Eric and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

With the warmth, wildflowers are blooming. Time to get out and see them!

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The Pacific Ocean has become more active, presumably from storms to our north. It's fun to hear the ocean speaking louder with its crashing waves. Ron LeValley recently photographed a beautiful wave.

The rain we had several weeks ago has coaxed the first Boletus edulis, King Boletes, to make a welcome appearance. These first ones are being found closer to the bluffs, where fog has contributed to their appearance. Lisa Cracknell found a nice group of them!

Lisa is  holding David Arora's wonderful pocketbook entitled "All That the Rain Promises and More." My copy is well-used - it's the go-to book when out in the forest. David's more comprehensive book is titled "Mushrooms Demystified." I highly recommend them. If you need a copy or either one, please consider purchasing them at the Four-eyed Frog Bookstore in Gualala. https://www.foureyedfrog.com/

Thanks to Ron and to Lisa for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

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Green flashes are photographable  mirages. While you can see one at sunrise, I'm told, here on the Mendonoma coast most of us watch for a green flash as sunset. Over the years, coast photographers have captured green flashes. I thought I'd share some with you today.

Here is a photo taken by Don Spear. The green flash only lasts for a brief moment. If you blink, you will miss it!

Jim Grant's photo shows a double green flash. When I look at Jim's photo in full screen, I can see he also captured a green flash morphing into a blue flash, which you will see in Allen's photo below.

And here Rich Kuehn has photographed the classic green flash just beginning. The setting sun appears to narrow, becoming hour-glass shaped. What happens next is the top part appears to pinch off and it becomes a vibrant green flash.

On very rare occasions you might see a green flash morph into a blue flash, as photographed by Allen Vinson.

And the rarest of all was photographed by Ron LeValley - a green flash, no, a blue flash, no a violet flash!

Thanks to Don, Jim, Rich, Allen and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. If you are interesting in purchasing Ron's photo, as Rick and I did, you can find it on Ron's website at this link:

http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

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Ron LeValley spotted what he believes was a young Elephant Seal molting.

Ron reports that the seal left after three days on the beach.

Here's a male Elephant Seal - notice the big proboscis [snout]! - seen some years ago north of Anchor Bay. Frank Jackson got this photo. I hope he used his long lens, as it isn't a good idea to get close to one of these big guys. They can move surprisingly fast when they want to!

Thanks to Ron and Frank for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

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Ron LeValley was exploring the Arcata Marsh when this North American River Otter swam up to inspect him as he was walking around the lake.

I wonder what this River Otter was thinking!

River Otters are seen in the ocean, in rivers and creeks, and even on land. In fact, one big River Otter crossed Highway One in downtown Gualala once. Now that's a sighting.

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/