Photo of storm arriving on the Mendonoma Coast by Robert Scarola

The Mendonoma Coast has been hit by several cold storms in the past couple of days. Robert Scarola took a dramatic photo of the approaching storm.

The rains have reactivated our wild mushrooms. I will be sharing a few photos of them in the days to come. Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo here.

We share the Mendonoma Coast with North American River Otters

River Otters, Lontra canadensis, can be seen near the mouths of the Mendonoma Coast's rivers and creeks. There is a family of River Otters living in dens on the banks of the Gualala River. They are members of the Weasel family. 

Siegfried Matull photographed a River Otter with a fish, which is their favorite food, and has kindly allowed me to share it with you.

We don't have Sea Otters this far north, for which abalone divers give thanks. River Otters can move on land and sea, whereas Sea Otters never leave the water.

A cold storm is hitting the Mendonoma Coast but Thursday's sunset was beautiful

A cold storm is hitting the Mendonoma Coast this afternoon. We have our wood stove cranked up. Before the storm arrived, the ocean looked like corduroy. The sunset Thursday night was quite beautiful with the sun painting a stairway of gold across the Pacific Ocean.

To see a beautiful sunset at Gualala Point Regional Park, here is the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/08/beautiful-sunset-at-gualala-point.html  And here's another spectacular sunset, this time at the Point Arena Lighthouse - http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/07/beautiful-sunset-at-point-arena.html

The Green Flash was seen Wedneday night and photographed by Cathleen Crosby!

Some days it just pays to watch the sunset with your camera at the ready. This Wednesday Cathleen Crosby was watching the sunset thinking maybe, just maybe, there might be a green flash. The horizon was clear with a thin layer of clouds above it. Sure enough, Cathleen saw a green flash and snapped a picture at the perfect moment in time.

Below is the uncropped photo:

Thanks to Cathleen for letting me share her photos with you here. To see another photo of the green flash, click here: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/04/green-flash-its-not-myth.html

A mushroom forage with author David Arora

On Sunday Rick and I joined in a mushroom forage led by David Arora in Mendocino County. It was a treat to learn from the person who wrote the definitive books on mushroom hunting in the United States and Canada.

As we've had little rain - until today - the mushrooms were rather sparse. But we did find edible White Chanterelles, Queen Boletes, Shrimp Russula, Coccoras, Laccarias, The Prince and Milk Caps.

Here David is showing some of the foragers the Shrimp Russula.

Rozann Grunig found Laccarias during the mushroom forage.

 After the forage, we went to his house where he showed us the Death Cap.

 Rick and I had brought a beautiful Red-capped Butter Bolete to give to David. We invited him to come to our property the following day to photograph the remaining ones. He also photographed this group of Coccoras at our place.

Here's a link to see the Red-capped Butter Boletes that David photographed: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/11/red-capped-butter-boletes-found-near.html

David Arora's two must-have books are "Mushrooms Demystified" and "All That the Rain Promises and More." You can get them at my favorite bookstore, The Four-eyed Frog. http://www.foureyedfrog.com/

And to learn more about David Arora and planned forage events, here's his web site: davidarora.com

Two Brown Pelicans and a Gull - an interesting photo by Robert Scarola

Brown Pelicans are streaming by the Mendonoma Coast now, headed to points south. Robert Scarola recently caught a photo of a Gull flying with two Brown Pelicans - something you don't usually see. Did the Gull have delusions of grandeur? Or was it using the stronger birds' wing beats as a lift to its flying? Whatever the answer, it made for a very interesting photo. Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share it with you here.

I love watching Brown Pelicans land in the Gualala River. Late in the afternoon is the best time to see them. They are so graceful in the air but their landings can often be awkward, leaving me laughing out loud.

Full moon rising over ridge near the Jenner Grade

On a trip back up Highway One last week, the moon, in all its autumnal glory, was just making an appearance over the ridge near the Jenner Grade in Sonoma County. It was dusk when Rick pulled over so I could take this photo. Yes, the rest of our drive home was in the dark but the beautiful moon was a silent companion.