Lavender by the bay

 

 

Nice patch of Sea Lavender (Limonium californicum) in bloom at Point Reyes today (8 August 2024).

This day

  

Okay, I'll admit that I've been distracted by the Olympics recently, so apologies for not posting very much.  Sometimes when I need a quick idea for a post, I'll go back to a previous year at around the same date to see if a photo strikes me — sort of like a "This Day in NHBH History."  

Some of you might remember these rainbow clouds from August 2022. 

 

 

So beautiful! 

Caravan

  

 A line of camels in the clouds tonight.  

Photographed in Cotati on 2 August 2024.

Shell colors

  

Close-up of the inside of a California Mussel (Mytilus californianus).

Gliding in

  

Small swarms of these dragonflies have been visible for several days now, but I've mostly seen them zipping around, chasing small insect prey.  Today I finally caught up with one perched, so here you go — a nice view of a Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea).  The spots can be subtle, but look for the dark brown patches along the inside edge of each hind wing.  [You can click on the image for a larger version.]

Although fewer in number, there have also been some Wandering Gliders (Pantala flavescens) in the mix.  I didn't seen one perched, but here's a Wandering Glider in flight (below).  Note the more golden coloration (rather than looking reddish brown in flight), and the lack of a dark spot along the inside edge of the hind wing:

 

 

Both species are known as long-distance dispersers, and summer is a great time of year to watch for them, especially after warm conditions.

Family outing

  

For several weeks now, a family of Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) has visited our yard at the end of the day.  They perch on the gutter and fly down to catch insects among the short vegetation.

It used to be just the adults, but now they're accompanied by juveniles — see the two speckled birds on the left, above.  I'm wondering if the light is just right at that time for picking out insects in the rays of light of the setting sun?  Or maybe we're just the last stop on their route through the neighborhood?  

Either way, I love hearing their soft call notes from inside the house, and I'm glad our yard provides some early evening snacks for them!

Kelp toes

  

Tiny little kelp toes -- close-up of a Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) holdfast attached to a rock.  Washed ashore in Bodega Bay on 27 July 2024.