White-crowned Sparrow being fed by its parent - could we have a picky eater here?

Craig Tooley recently trained his long lens on a fledgling White-crowned Sparrow. As he watched a parent flew in with a nice bug. It looks like the baby isn't all that thrilled with snack and the parent in turn looks like its glaring. Here's a fun picture for you to enjoy today. Thank you, Craig!

To see more of Craig's photos, check out his web site:http://web.me.com/theruffians1

One our native Bees - a Solitary Digger Bee - pollinating my tomato plants

There are 1000 or so California native bees. I recently watched one of them pollinating the blossoms on my tomato plants here in Anchor Bay. When it went into each blossom it gave a whirring sound just like a small drill. Will Erickson identified it for me - it's a female Solitary Digger Bee, Anthophora species. This native bee is a ground nester. She was indeed a busy little bee as my plants are full of blossoms. Nice to get some garden help from this beneficial bee!

Two more rare wildflowers found at Ten Mile Dunes by Peter Baye

Ten Mile Dunes is found north of Fort Bragg. On a recent visit Peter Baye photographed four rare wildflowers. I've already shared two of them with you. Here are the other two.

Mendocino Coast Indian Paintbrush - Castilleja mendocinensis - is a perennial herb that only is found in California and Oregon. It is endangered and needs protection from non-native plants. Look how lovely it is.

Round-headed Chinese Houses is the common name for Collinsia corymbosa - an annual herb that is only found on the coastline of Northern California. It too is listed as endangered. These wildflowers are truly special. Thanks to Peter Baye for allowing me to share them here!

Foggy morning on the Mendocino Coast

This morning the fog hugged the coastline with blue sky just a bit to the east. A large group of Brown Pelicans flew by headed north. This photo was taken south of Schooner Gulch State Beach and Bowling Ball State Beach. If you are living with high temperatures today, perhaps this photo will bring you a bit of cooling fog.

Sweet photo of a Harbor Seal pup with its mom taken by Craig Tooley

Harbor Seals come to a safe cove on The Sea Ranch and other secluded places on the Mendonoma Coast in the spring. They are very endearing, which makes for some wonderful photos. Craig Tooley sent me this sweet photo showing the interaction and love between a pup and its mom.

To see more of Craig's photos, go to: http://web.me.com/theruffians1

Swainson's Thrush and American Goldfinch- I have two nests to show you

One of my favorite birds on the Mendonoma Coast is the Swainson's Thrush. Its flute-like calls are wonderful to hear, always ending on a high note. To listen for yourself, here's a link from Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/swainsons_thrush/sounds

Robert Schwein discovered a nest with three eggs. They are completely blue with no flecks of brown, which is a bit unusual. However the babies didn't care. Robert watched them fledge a few days ago.

American Goldfinches arrive in the spring, delighting us with their beauty. Jeff and Pearl Watts had a  Goldfinch nest in the wreath hanging on their door! Here's a photo of the young birds in the nest.

Thanks to the Watts and Robert Schwein for allowing me to share their photos.

Serenity on The Sea Ranch

Betty Bailey captured a moment of serenity on The Sea Ranch - a Great Blue Heron in the foreground and a Great Egret in the back. They eat fish but also mice and other small rodents. Perhaps that is what they were looking for in that meadow. Thanks to Betty for allowing me to share her photo.