Gray Fox mother grooms her kit as photographed by Jim Garlock

We share the Mendonoma Coast with Gray Foxes. Their kits are among the cutest critters around. Jim Garlock recently photographed this sweet scene near his home in Gualala where the Mother Fox was grooming her kit.

To see a photo of  newborn Gray Fox Kits, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/06/gray-fox-kits-are-being-born-now-on.html

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

Another photo of the young Mountain Lion that was stalked by a house cat and the story of the event

Here is the other photo of the young Mountain Lion photographed by Lynne Barnard at Sea Ranch.

You can see its loooong tail actually dragging on the ground. Here is the story, as told by Lynne.

“It was an incredible sighting. I had arrived home about an hour before and was entertaining guests. I have glass French doors opening to the front yard and as I came into the room I could see a large, buff-colored feline sunning himself on a PG&E box! His tail was quite long and thick, but you could tell he was a juvenile Mountain Lion because of his enormous tail, size, dark markings on his cheeks and some fading spots on his coat. We opened the front door to get a better look and take some photographs and watched the animal walk for a bit. The Cougar seemed to be distracted, watching us and what turned out to be a neighbor’s house cat. Truffles, also called ‘Saddam’ because she takes on anything and everything, entered the picture and started to stalk the young Mountain Lion. She ultimately tried to attack the Mountain Lion and they moved off into the brush and out of sight but you could hear the yowls of fighting cats. ‘Saddam’ survived, albeit a little shaken, and I haven’t seen the beautiful Mountain Lion since.” 

To see Lynne's other photo showing Truffles, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-house-cat-stalking-mountain-lion.html

Thanks to Lynne for sharing her sighting and photos with us here.

Tuesday's sunset and beautiful clouds

The heat wave broke on Thursday with the return of cooling fog. But Tuesday night's sunset was special not because there was a green flash - there wasn't - but because of some beautiful clouds in the sky.

These were taken from our deck. To see such beauty is a privilege that we don't take for granted.

Sunday's green flash, as photographed by Allen Vinson

Allen Vinson was watching the sunset Sunday on the bluffs at Walk On Beach on The Sea Ranch. He too caught magic and photographed the green flash.

 Below Allen cropped his photo so you could see the green flash close-up.

Many thanks to Allen  - and his new Nikon D600 - for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

The Green Flash was seen Sunday at sunset

Patty Buechner was at Gualala Point Regional Park watching the sunset. She caught magic when she photographed the green flash.

We are having our usual autumn heat wave and that means the fog has disappeared, leaving a clear horizon. That's the recipe for a possible green flash. Not a myth, but reality - the elusive green flash is always a treat to see.

Thanks to Patty for allowing me to share her photo with you here. I have another photo of Sunday's green flash to show you tomorrow. You are bound to be amazed!

American White Pelicans arrive on the Sonoma Coast

Beautiful American White Pelicans migrate from inland lakes and waterways to overwinter on the Coast. You are more likely to see some by the Russian River, though Rick and I once saw a pair fly over us in the town of Mendocino. Jim Garlock recently photographed some early arriving birds.

These Pelicans fish differently than Brown Pelicans. They sit on the surface of the water and lower their head to scoop up fish. Brown Pelicans dramatically plunge dive. American White Pelicans are graceful fliers, using thermals to help them on their way. You know it's autumn when these big birds arrive on the Coast.

Thanks to Jim for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see another photo of these birds, seen at Bodega Bay, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/09/bodega-bay-always-picturesque.html

Blue Dasher Dragonfly, as photographed by Coastal photographer Ron LeValley

Dragonflies and Damselflies are so intriguing and beautiful. They are living jewels that are found near water. Ron LeValley recently photographed a male Blue Dasher - a Dragonfly.

I thank Ron for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To much more of Ron's photography, here's the link to his web site: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

To see several other Dragonflies on this site, here are the links: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/07/dragonfly-flame-skimmer-visited-my.html
http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/09/pacific-spiketail-dragonfly-is-seen-and.html
http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/09/dragonflies-and-damselflies-so.html