Dyer's Polypore appears!

Dyer's Polypore, Phaeolus schweinitzii, a fungus that helps decompose wood, has emerged in the same place we spotted it last year. This year it fruited a month later than in 2011.

It's only two inches across now but it will grow in the days to come. Here's a link to how it looked last year after it grew for several weeks: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/08/dyers-polypore-wild-mushroom-continues.html  This fascinating mushroom can be used to dye fabric. Depending on the age of the mushroom, the color will be orange, yellow, golden or brown.

It is a harbinger of autumn, just a little late this year!

This morning some surprises were seen alongside the Gualala River

The fog was heavy and cold this morning but as we walked alongside the Gualala River we left the fog behind. The river is low, waiting for the rains to come. The water is crystal clear.

 Of course we took our golden retriever, Huckleberry, along. He LOVES the Gualala River.

And taking a gravel bath afterwards. Life is very good indeed when you are a golden.

 Walking back Rick saw this little Chorus Frog jump. Its new name is Sierran Tree Frog.

Entering the forest we were surprised to see fresh Oyster Mushrooms growing on downed tree. A Banana Slug is enjoying a nice meal, provided courtesy of Mother Nature. The fog has been so heavy and dense, there was enough moisture for this edible mushroom to fruit.

 Autumn on the Mendonoma Coast - it's magic!

A house cat stalking a Mountain Lion? Strange but true.

Lynne  Barnard saw a young Mountain Lion outside her Sea Ranch home. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the neighbor's cat, "Truffles," stalk the cougar.

Truffles, a black house cat, is on the left. The young Mountain Lion is on the right, looking at the too-brave cat. The story is in this week's Independent Coast Observer. But I will tell you Truffles survived.

Thanks to Lynne for sharing her great sighting and photo.

The fall migration of shorebirds is taking place on the Mendonoma Coast

One of the shorebirds we see during the fall migration is the Red-necked Phalarope. Several were seen off of the Point Arena Pier. Craig Tooley photographed one off of Sonoma County recently.

It looks like it is talking back to Craig. This endearing bird spins in circles on top the water like a wind-up toy. This is how they feed. They create an upwelling that brings food particles up to them.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Craig's coastal photography, here's the link: http://ruffimage.com/

A rare wildflower found at Manchester State Park

On a recent visit to the northern portion of Manchester State Park, Rick and I found quite a few Yellow Sand Verbenas blooming. But near a lagoon we found a small colony of Pink Sand Verbenas, a rare plant. Its Latin name is Abronia umbellata, subspecies breviflora.

Peter Baye identified this sand-loving plant for me. He also took the close-up photo above.

How big was it? A really BIG Abalone!

As promised, here are a few more photos of the 10 13/16th inch Abalone Ken Bailey found while diving off of The Sea Ranch. It is uncommonly large for an area that sees abalone divers often during the season. It's an all-time record for Ken.

These photos were taken by Ken's diving buddy, Jack Likins. They are in the process of filming a sequel to their DVD "Hunt for Red Treasure" and caught this find on film. 

Thanks to both of these awesome abalone hunters.

To see another photo of these two with their trophy abalones and a lingcod, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/06/salmon-is-being-caught-off-mendonoma.html

A hike at Gualala Point Regional Park brought a sighting of a Praying Mantis

Last Thursday morning, Rick and I, along with our golden retriever, Huckleberry, took a hike at Gualala Point Regional Park. It was a breezy day and the fog had pulled back leaving us in sunshine.

This is the view from one of the trails. On the middle right is the Gualala River lagoon. On the bluffs is the town of Gualala. The rocky islands in the middle are Fish Rocks, where a large colony of Sea Lions live.

Something moved in the grasses that caught my eye. When I looked at my photograph, I found I had photographed a Praying Mantis!

Paying attention to things both big and small brings unexpected surprises!

To see one of the most popular photos on this blog, here's the link to Siegfried Matull's photo of a Praying Mantis with its wings extended: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-photos-of-praying-mantis-from.html