Two photos of a Praying Mantis from coastal photographer Siegfried Matull

Praying Mantis is the colloquial name for Mantodea. It's a beneficial insect to have around your garden as it eats flies and mosquitoes, among other insects. It has the ability to change color to camouflage itself.

This picture shows off its lovely wings, wings to make a fairy jealous!

And here is one camouflaged as a stick.

Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photos here with you!

A wild storm hit the Mendonoma Coast but the Red Tide still persists

Thunderstorms followed the storm. Early this morning lightning lit up the sky. As the thunder rumbled overhead, hail bounced off our skylights. Then a downpour, nearly an inch in less than a half hour, left us with a flooded garage. The sky was beautiful at sunset yesterday evening, with showers marching down the Pacific Ocean.

Yesterday the Department of Fish and Game closed the abalone fishing season off the Sonoma Coast. The Red Tide isn't to blame for the abalone die-off. The theory is a lack of oxygen caused it but studies are on-going. On a trip down and then back up the coast today the Red Tide was still evident, as the photo below shows.

To see another photo of the Red Tide taken by Craig Tooley, click on this link:
http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/08/red-tide-seen-off-of-sea-ranch.html

And after the third storm this month, a rainbow morning.

One of the joys of living on the Mendonoma Coast is watching storms approach. And then when they depart, leaving showers behind, we have rainbow days, especially in the early morning. That was the case today, to my delight. Any day you see rainbows is a good day!

My best to you! Jeanne Jackson

Beautiful sunrise before the storm and golden Chanterelles appear!

It's unusual for the Mendonoma Coast to be hit by winter-like storms in early October but that is what is happening. Yesterday we got nearly two inches of rain at our home in Anchor Bay. Another even bigger storm is due in tonight. Batten down the hatches! But this morning's sunrise was lovely.

Several friends have told me they have found Chanterelles, Cantharellus cibarius, in the past couple of days. This morning, in our forest, Rick and I saw golden Chanterelles just appearing. Notice the Banana Slug approaching them too.

Chanterelles are among the most delicious of the coast's wild mushrooms. Thank you, Mother Nature!

Gentian Blue - a rare wildflower by coastal photographer Craig Tooley

An oh-so-lovely blue wildflower was recently photographed by Craig Tooley. Its name is Gentiana affinis var. ovata. Due to its rarity, Craig is keeping the exact location secret. But I can safely say it was photographed on the Sonoma Coast. It is a California native; a perennial herb. I thank Craig for allowing me to show it to you, in all its glory, here!

To see more of Craig's work, here's a link to his web site:http://web.me.com/theruffians1

Early rains hit the Mendonoma Coast and a little Rough-skinned Newt was on the move

Yes, it is early for the Mendonoma Coast to have rain but try telling that to Mother Nature. Yesterday we received a nice soaking. Perhaps that is why this tiny Rough-skinned Newt was seen crossing a forest path this morning. Not much longer than an inch and a half, this is a baby Newt. Perhaps it started its life in one of the ponds on Quinliven Creek. Rick and I only noticed it because it moved. Notice the hints of orange coloring on its edges. If you turned this Newt over, you would see its orange undersides.

To see the adult Rough-skinned Newt that lives in the pond in our courtyard, click on this link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/04/interesting-creature-living-in-our-pond.html

Bucks have begun practice jousting on the Mendonoma Coast - the rut can't be far behind

Robert Scarola recently photographed two Bucks practicing gentle jousting. They danced up and down the meadow by Robert's Sea Ranch home. Interestingly enough, several California Quail were close by and chose to ignore all the action taking place nearby.

October is the time of the rut of the coast's Black-tailed Deer, when the males fight for the chance to mate. Don't come between a Buck and his heart's desire. Lust is the only thing on his mind!
Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo here.