A tiny Fawn was sleeping right outside Ron LeValley's front door!

A Doe will leave her fawn in a safe place while she forages for food. Imagine Ron LeValley's surprise when he opened his front door and found tiny fawn curled up asleep on his doormat.

When I saw these photos I wrote Ron that I thought he was blessed by Mother Nature with this visit. He wrote back, "I've been blessed by Mother Nature most of my life!" Sometime during the day the Doe collected her precious fawn and the doormat was unoccupied when Ron returned home.

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

Sunday's eclipse as seen at the Gualala Arts Center

Sus Susalla and Liz Redfield photographed the eclipse as it was seen reflected off of several different surfaces at the Gualala Arts Center. This first photo is of a sculpture by Robert Holmes that resides in the gardens of the Art Center. The eclipse is reflected on the legs of the sculpture.

And below you will see the eclipse multiplied on the surface of one of the parking areas of GAC.

 And below is when Sus held his camera up towards the sun, something he knows he shouldn't have done, but look at the beautiful photo he captured.

Thanks to Sus and Liz for allowing me to share their unique eclipse photos with you here. To learn more about the Gualala Arts Center, the heart of our town, here's the link: http://gualalaarts.org/

An aerial view of Cook's Beach, as photographed by Craig Tooley

You don't often get to see a photo of one of our beaches taken from an airplane. Craig Tooley was up taking photographs for a seabird survey and he took the time to photograph Cook's Beach for us. Thanks, Craig!

To learn how to find this beautiful pocket beach, brought to us by the fine folks of the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy and other partners, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/02/cooks-beach-beautiful-pocket-beach-just.html

And to see more of Craig Tooley's coastal photos, here's the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com/

Brown Pelicans continue to stream by - always a wonderful sight!

Brown Pelicans are migrating north, flying in formation just off coastal bluffs. Paul Brewer recently photographed a beautiful Pelican and has kindly shared his photo with us.

There is something about Brown Pelicans that makes your heart sing. Is it their recovery from the disastrous effects of DDT? Is it their grace in the air? Is it the way they use air currents to skim the bluffs? Their big beak? Perhaps it is all of the above. I can tell you one thing - we love the Brown Pelicans that grace us with their presence this time of year!

Sunday's Eclipse, as seen through a colander and photographed by Bob Silva

The weather was perfect for watching the eclipse on Sunday afternoon. One of the most creative ways to view it was dreamed up by Deborah and Bob Silva. As you will see by Bob's photo, they put a sheet of white paper on the side of their house and held up a colander. The shadows of the eclipse created a unique and beautiful collage, a true work of art by the Silvas, the Moon and the Sun. That's quite a collaboration!

Thanks to Deborah and Bob for allowing me to share this photo with you here.

A rare wildflower - meet the Giant White Trillium, as photographed by Massomeh Roberts

This wildflower is so rare and precious that the location is kept secret - even from me! I do know it is growing on private property in northern Sonoma County. But we are lucky that Massomeh Roberts photographed it so we can enjoy looking at it here.

 Last year Craig Tooley photographed the group of these Trilliums a little earlier in their development, showing the younger white blossoms.

Thanks to Craig and Massomeh for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

A beautiful Gray Fox, as photographed by Hal Fogel

Hal Fogel entitled this photo, "Don't feed the Gray Fox." It's a good idea not to feed wildlife, thus keeping them wild. Photographing them is just fine though. Thanks to Hal for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Hal Fogel, a talented painter, was recently awarded second prize in the prestigious May Show, which is now showing at the Gualala Arts Center. Stop by the Arts Center and see Hal's work!