Here's a fun sighting from Siegfried Matull - a Raccoon hugging a stone owl.

Siegfried Matull has set his camera lens on a grouping of stone owls at his home at The Sea Ranch. He got a Raccoon appearing to hug one of the owls - a touch of whimsy and fun for you today.
         All my best, Jeanne Jackson, Gualala
      

Beautiful sunset at the Point Arena Lighthouse

If you are visiting the Mendonoma Coast, a trip to the Point Arena Lighthouse is a great stop. There's a museum, a gift shop and the restored lighthouse itself. It's a great spot for seeing wildlife, including River Otters, Brown Pelicans and Whales. It's also a great spot for spectacular sunsets as evidenced in Rae Radtkey's photo below. I thank her for allowing me to share it here with you.

To learn more about this landmark, go to http://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/

Rare wildflowers recently found on the Mendocino Coast by Peter Baye

Peter Baye, camera in hand, went exploring at Ten Mile Dunes, which is north of Fort Bragg. On the dunes Peter found some rare wildflowers, the first one being Howell's Spineflower, Chorizanthe howellii. It's an annual herb that is native and endemic to California. In fact, Cal-Flora only shows this flower in Mendocino County. It is listed as threatened by the State of California and listed as endangered by the federal government.

Another rare wildflower found was Menzies' Wallflower, Erysimum menziesii. It's a perennial herb and another endangered California native.

I have two more to show you but they will have to wait for another day! Thanks to Peter for allowing me to show you these beauties.

Bald Eagle makes an appearace just north of Elk - a magnificent sight!

Kenny Gentile was driving on Highway One just north of Elk on June 29th. There on the west side of the highway, perched on a tree, sat this beautiful, mature Bald Eagle. Kenny took over 50 photos while the big eagle watched him. One photo is on the Independent Coast Observer's web site at http://www.mendonoma.com/. Kenny kindly allowed me to post a different one here. Bald Eagles are a rare sighting on the Mendonoma Coast but two have been seen this spring and summer in the Albion area, which is not too far from Elk as the Eagle flies. We are wishing and hoping they will nest here.

Salmon Fishing has been good off the Mendonoma Coast - the fishing fleet is here.

Salmon fishing has been so good this past week that the commercial fishing fleet has been here. They anchor overnight in Point Arena and Anchor Bay. Their lights twinkle in the darkness, looking like a diamond necklace strung out over the Pacific Ocean. I rose before dawn to take this photo - the ocean was so calm some of the boats stayed out rather than anchor off-shore. You don't see that very often!

A window to the world of Mother Nature

Adrian Bennett recently photographed the world of nature outside her window. A Doe and her Fawn graze amongst her many bird feeders and perches. The meadows of The Sea Ranch are just behind and the Pacific Ocean frames the shot. It looks so peaceful and idyllic that it makes me sigh in relaxation. Thanks to Adrian for allowing me to share this photo.

Spectacular photo of an Osprey with a fish in its talons!

Steve Wilcox loves to photograph Hawks. He got a great photo of a Sea Hawk, aka Osprey, with a fish in its talons and has kindly allowed me to share it here. Perhaps the Osprey was hurrying back to the nest where his lady love was waiting with hungry babies. I feel so fortunate to live where Ospreys choose to nest.

My best to you!   Jeanne Jackson, Gualala