Winter flashes

  

We've seen several green flashes this week, so if it's a clear night and you're at the coast at sunset, keep an eye on the horizon!  (But don't look until the sun is mostly below the horizon!)

Time for owls

  

Some of you might remember that I sometimes see owls in pieces of sea urchin test.  Here's one perched on a branch of coralline algae.  :)  From 8 June 2024.  Do you see an owl, too?

P.S.  For more "urchin owls," see the post called "Duetting" on 11 March 2013.

Hidden behind the moon

  

We were driving home from work tonight (13 January 2025) during the occultation of Mars by the Moon, but here's a quick shot after Mars had emerged and was visible just above the Moon.  (Yes, that tiny speck is Mars!)  My camera didn't really do this pairing justice — it was quite striking to the visible eye.

Cephalopod break

  

We got lucky tonight -- we were busy doing surveys, but we heard someone nearby exclaim, "Octopus!"  So we took a short break and walked over to see this beautiful Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens).  

Love the green highlights!

And I'm always drawn to the spiraled arm tips and suckers.  So cool!

 

 

P.S.  Many thanks to the tidepoolers who alerted us to this octopus! 

Spotlight

  

Looking west at the end of the day on 10 January 2025.

Ready for takeoff

  

In late December I helped out with the Western Sonoma County Christmas Bird Count.  Here's a male Northern Harrier photo from that day.

Sunset rays

  

Quick shot of the sunset from Bodega Head, 7 January 2025