Break in storm clouds, as photographed by Rozann Grunig

It was nice to hear the rain overnight. It was enough to freshen our creeks and rivers. Today storm clouds fill the sky, bringing brief downpours. Rozann Grunig photographed a similar day and has kindly allowed me to share it with you here.

One more storm for tomorrow and then the weekend looks dry. If you are thinking of visiting the Mendonoma Coast, this weekend could be ideal. Gray Whales were seen headed north before the storm closed the viewing window. The earliest wildflowers are blooming. I saw the first Bracken Ferns. They appeared as if by magic this morning. You can feel the thrum of life!

Storm approaching, a photo by Allen Vinson

Allen Vinson captured this spectacular photo of a storm approaching and the sunset. And we have a storm approaching today, which is good news! May the month of March be a rainy one so we can get back on track rain-wise.

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

Crab boats have been working the waters off the Mendocino Coast as photographed by Bettye Winters

Crab season was delayed from the Gualala River north because the Dungeness Crab samples weren't big enough. Since the waters off the Mendocino Coast have been opened to commercial fishing, crab boats have been plying our waters. Bettye Winters photographed a boat off of Irish Beach. She said the boat's light lit up her room.

 The boats work day and night.

The fog is about to catch up to the crab boat. Lovely photo. Thanks to Bettye for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

To see a photo of Crabs arriving at Point Arena Pier, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/01/dungeness-crab.html

A Harbor Seal perched on a rock as photographed by Robert Scarola

Robert Scarola couldn't believe what he was seeing - a Harbor Seal precariously perched on a rock, apparently asleep. Those must be sweet dreams as the Harbor Seal looks so happy.

Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share this smile-inducing photo with you here.

Harbor Seals will be giving birth to pups in April. Here's a link to see a mom and her pup by Craig Tooley :http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/07/sweet-photo-of-harbor-seal-pup-with-its.html

And to see a spectacular photo of Harbor Seals crowned by kelp, here's the link to Siegfried Matull's photo: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/08/photo-of-harbor-seals-crowned-with-kelp.html

Pacific Tree Frog with an attitude as photographed by Cathleen Crosby

This past week Cathleen Crosby and her granddaughter, Tali, came across a small Pacific Tree Frog on The Sea Ranch. The way it's looking at Cathleen's camera makes me think this frog has an attitude! This would be a fun photo to have a caption contest.

This is the only frog who's call is "ribbitt, ribbitt." It is usually green but can change color to help camouflage itself. These frogs are found on the West Coast all the way up to British Columbia. To see another photo Cathleen took of a Pacific Tree Frog on a spa, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/10/tiny-frog-with-big-voice-meet-pacific.html

Trilliums - a splash of beauty in the forest!

Trilliums, Trillium ovatum, have been blooming for several weeks. When they are young the bloom is white. But when they age a bit the bloom begins to turns pink. I noticed a few pale pink blooms the other day.

 And Redwood Violets have begun to bloom in sunny spots on the forest's edge.

Violet is the flower, not the color, which is obviously bright yellow!

Edible, wild mushrooms continue to make a welcome appearance on the Mendonoma Coast

On a recent mushroom forage with my husband, Rick, we found Black Trumpets, Chanterelles and Hedgehogs. There is a veritable feast in the forest if you know what to look for!

Rick spotted this golden Chanterelle hiding under Huckleberry bushes.

 And I had luck spotting the hard-to-see Black Trumpets, which are also more properly called Horn of Plenty.

And this is what we did with the Hedgehogs we found - a wonderful omelet this morning.

That's homemade huckleberry jam on the english muffins. Life is good!