Best of 2019

High Surf Advisory

40 foot waves pounded Rodeo Beach in a spectacular power display.

High Surf Advisory

40 foot waves pounded Rodeo Beach in a spectacular power display.

Riding in the New Year

Surf's up Rodeo Beach! Happy New Year everybody!

Margined White

Several of these at Ignacio.

California Tortoiseshell

Ignacio Valley Preserve

Mylitta Crescent

Ignacio Valley Preserve

Mourning Cloak

More wind today whistling through Blackstone Canyon. This torn beauty along with a few Ringlets were all to be had.

Easter Parade

Mute Swans and their babies out for a spring float at Las Gallinas. Happy Easter to all!

Boisduval's Blue

First time I have seen this Blue! Ignacio Valley Preserve.

Boisduval's Blue

First time I have seen this Blue! Ignacio Valley Preserve.

Pipevine Swallowtail

Ignacio Valley Preserve beauty- several of these here but only one stopped across the creek for me.

Ninth Street Rookery

It's been a couple of years since I've been to this wonderful heron rookery in Santa Rosa. It was very lively as the herons were in their nest buildng mode, gathering sticks. An audubon guy who was there said there were over 180 Night Heron nests he had counted!

Ninth Street Rookery

It's been a couple of years since I've been to this wonderful heron rookery in Santa Rosa. It was very lively- an audubon guy who was there said there were over 180 Night Heron nests he had counted!

Ninth Street Rookery

It's been a couple of years since I've been to this wonderful heron rookery in Santa Rosa. It was very lively- an audobon guy who was there said there were over 180 Night Heron nests he had counted!

Variable Checkerspot

My first sighting at Ignacio this year- there were 3 of them twirling about.

Variable Checkerspot

Always look forward to these Checkerspots appearing (and posing, hopefully!)

Spotted Towhee on Estero Trail

Lookout from the pine forest.

Northern Checkerspot

At least 4 of these twirling and posing.

Greenish Blue(female)

In a sea of pink at Ignacio Valley.

Hooded Oriole

Male juvenile. Chut-chutting in the pine next door.

California Sister

1st one of the year for me. They were doing work on power lines on the hill at Ignacio (right fork) with huge drills and saws but did not affect the number of butterflies I saw twirling about.

Lorquin's Admiral

2 or 3 of these at Ignacio Valley today.

Dancing Sister

California Sister at Ignacio Valley

Umber Skipper

1st skipper of the year for me at Ignacio Valley.

Mylitta Crescent

Posing at Ignacio Valley

Sister Sister

Another beautiful California Sister at Ignacio Valley

Painted Lady

20+ of these nectaring on the Vetch this afternoon.