Beautiful Coccoras and last night's sunset

Coccoras, Amanita calyptroderma, are delighting our senses with their beauty in the forest. Their nickname is Creamy Tops. Here is a photo I took this morning at our property in Anchor Bay.

To see some Coccora eggs that appeared a few weeks ago, click on this link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/10/coccora-mushrooms-just-peeking-up.html

Last night's sunset shows a few remaining storm clouds. I love the way the sunlight is etched on the clouds.

Queen Boletes made their royal appearance this week to my delight

Queen Boletes, Boletus aereus, fruited in profusion on Friday. A friend, Rick and I found five perfect mushrooms. They are delicious! The ones on our property in Anchor Bay are growing near Tanoaks and mixed conifers. David Arora writes in "Mushrooms Demystified" that they are found in mixed woods and under hardwoods.

Many people confuse these with King Boletes, Boletus edulis, and it really doesn't matter - they are both choice edible mushrooms. They are gifts in the forest. Here's a link to a photo of the biggest King Bolete I've ever seen: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/10/biggest-king-bolete-ive-ever-seen-was.html

A Northern Wheater paid a visit to Mendocino County - for the first time in recorded history!

There was great excitement in the birding world when a Northern Wheatear was spotted in the southern part of Mendocino County recently. Richard Kuehn was one of the lucky few to see the bird, which was on private property. Luckily Rich had his camera and took this picture, which he graciously has allowed me to share here with you.

What was this Northern Wheatear doing on the Mendocino Coast? There has never been a recorded sighting of one here...until now. They are seen in Alaska and over-winter in sub-Saharan Africa. Not much is known about Northern Wheatears as they nest where there are no disturbances from people. Its visit is a sweet mystery.

Five-point Buck photographed by Drew Fagan

Big Bucks are still being seen as the rut is winding down. The big boys move onto the coast in October looking for the most comely Doe. Drew Fagan recently photographed this five-point Black-tailed Deer. Isn't he magnificent?!

To see a picture of Does and Fawns, click on this link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-fawns-have-made-appearance-on.html And to see Drew's artwork, here is his web site: http://www.drewfagan.com/

Coccoras are up in all their autumn finery on the Mendocino Coast

Over the past several days the Coccora eggs have blossomed into one of the most beautiful mushrooms on the coast. A dozen or so dot the forest at Rick's and my Anchor Bay home and many more are to come. Coccora, or Amanita calyptroderma, is an edible but only for the most experienced foragers. But you don't have to be experienced to enjoy its beauty.

Coccoras are found near red-barked Madrone, with which they have a mycorrihizal relationship - a relationship made in fungi heaven! To see the Coccora eggs, click on this link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/10/coccora-mushrooms-just-peeking-up.html

The sunsets have been lovely in October on the Mendonoma Coast

A week ago I took these two photos of the sunset from Rick's and my Anchor Bay home. I thought the streaks in the sky were particularly interesting, especially in the second photo.

To see several other recent sunsets, here are the links: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-photos-of-sundays-magnificent.html and http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/10/spectacular-sunset-photo-by-coastal.html

Our lovely, warm autumn weather is about to end with a coldfront due to arrive tomorrow. The good news is the rain will certainly re-start the mushroom season. There is always a silver lining!

The first Matsutakes are peeking up from the duff in Mendocino County

Matsutakes, Tricholoma magnivelare, are just beginning to appear. They come up in the same place, year after year, near our property in Anchor Bay. The first three made an appearance a few days ago. They are growing in sandy soil underneath a mixed conifer forest with manzanita and huckleberry bushes nearby.

The Matsutakes found in our area, the Pacific Northwest, are also called White Matsutakes. They have a wonderful aroma...like cinnamon. There is no other mushroom like it. Yes, another wonderful gift in the forest from Mother Nature.