Turkey Tails really catch one's eyes in the forest

Turkey Tails, Trametes versicolor, are fruiting in the forest. They are quite beautiful as you can see by my photo. They are fruiting on a downed Tan-oak on our property in Anchor Bay.

Here I have cropped my photo so you can see the lovely patterns. These mushrooms are leathery to the touch. They are so beautiful people have used them for jewelry. They are found on hardwoods.

Turkey Tail mushrooms, found all over the world, have medicinal qualities. A soothing tea can release their polysaccharides. Studies are ongoing regarding their use as an immune system booster in breast cancer patients. There's a fascinating article about their medicinal qualities on Huffington Post at this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-stamets/mushrooms-cancer_b_1560691.html  Could a mushroom growing in abundance in the forest be the answer to someone's prayer?

Two Sunset photos by Drew Fagan - which one is your favorite?

On Jan. 28th, Drew Fagan photographed this sunset from his art studio north of Gualala.

 The night before he captured this sunset over Sail Rock.

Each are lovely in their own way. Thanks to Drew for allowing me to share the beauty he sees from his place. To see Drew's art, here's the link: drewfagan.com

Bobcat at The Sea Ranch

Dave Bess looked out the window of his house and saw this young Bobcat hunting for rodents.

It looks like the Bobcat is close to finding its dinner. They are great gopher hunters and the meadows of The Sea Ranch have plenty of gophers.

Thanks to Dave for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

A Coyote was spotted near Fort Ross by Deborah Heatherstone

The Coyote was on the west side of Highway One near Fort Ross State Historic Park. Deborah Heatherstone was there with her camera.

Can you see the Coyote in the photo below? The tall grasses make good camouflage for this Coyote. In the background you can see a few of the restored buildings from the Russian settlement at Fort Ross.

Thanks to Deborah for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To learn more at Fort Ross State Historic Park, here are several links: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/07/fort-ross-southern-most-russian.html   and  http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/07/interiors-of-fort-ross-and-last-two.html

Fog line by Bowling Ball Beach

Fog is part of living on the Mendonoma Coast. When it burns off, or pulls back to hover over the Pacific Ocean, the color of the trees and ocean seems even more vibrant. Cathleen Crosby photographed the fog line by Bowling Ball State Beach.

Bowling Ball Beach is one of the best places to beachcomb on the Coast. It has unique stones that look large huge bowling balls. They are uncovered with a low tide.

Thanks to Cathleen for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

A Black Bear pays a visit to the Fort Bragg Hospital...in the daytime!

Jane Schuler-Repp and Ida Egil were in the right place at the right time to see something amazing. A young Black Bear came up to the double-paned window at the Fort Bragg Hospital and looked in.

It sure looks like this Bear is smiling at Jane. Here's what Jane and Ida had to say about the encounter: “On Tuesday morning, Jan. 15th, the daily routine at Fort Bragg Hospital was interrupted by a wandering Bear, looking for its way out of the complex. We just happened to be in the corridor where the Bear was clawing at the window and we got an up-close look at this magnificent but confused creature. We were thankful the double-paned window held up.”

Daytime visits of a bear are very unusual. Reports said the bear was four feet tall when it was standing on its four paws. It was seen headed towards the Noyo River where it disappeared from view.

Thanks to Jane and Ida for sharing their experience. And thanks to Jane for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

While out looking for wild mushrooms, a Mountain Lion print was found - a fresh one.

Rozann Grunig and Patty McBratney were out looking for edible mushrooms early this week on The Sea Ranch. They found a few Hedgehogs and Pigs Ears. We haven't had much rain lately. Rozann mentioned to Patty that is probably was a good idea to always have a buddy when in the forest. Just after that comment she saw this print.

Rozann put her mushroom knife, four inches long, in the photo for perspective. Mountain Lion tracts do not have claw marks, as their claws are recessed while walking.

What to do if you see a Mountain Lion? Make yourself as big as possible. I've always thought hiking in the forest with an umbrella, which could double as a walking stick, would be a good idea. On the extremely rare chance that you did come near a Cougar, you could raise the umbrella over you head and pop it open.

Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo with you here.