I believe your first thought was correct. It might be a Nomada but I don't know what other similar genera might occur in CA. Has anyone noticed the long tongue that this critter has? (see other picture). Doesn't look like a wasp to me at all.

note also the broad hind basitarsis clearly visible in the other picture

Thanks for the enlightenment, Dr. Ascher. I'll be more careful next time.

except that this is probably not in the ruficornis species group

Not at all....thank you.

This is one of the crabronid wasps in the subfamily Philanthinae which includes "beewolves," "weevil wasps," and the like.

I didn't see any in the guide that had red legs and feelers. . .maybe I missed something?

It is just that we don't have every species (not even every genus) for that subfamily represented in the guide yet, let alone any geographical variations....This could well be an Aphilanthops or Clypeadon, just not real easy to tell from this one image alone. Most identifications rest on such minutia as wing venation, number of spines in the tarsal rake (females), degrees and depth of integumental punctation (pits in the exoskeleton), etc.

note that few species of these would be expected in Mendocino Co., CA (most are from warmer, drier areas)

Notably, especially along the coast, where this shot was taken. Inland areas of Mendocino County are much drier and warmer.

OK. . .I will develop the other shots in this series - there are several, showing the wings, showing the thorax, etc. . .so as soon as possible, they will be uploaded and linked with this one. Thanks in advance for all your help,

Feather

We're still waiting for the additional images you promised:-) I'm leaving in "ID Request" for now because it is still entirely possible I have the family wrong.

Sorry, I was in the hospital having surgery on June 27 and home by the 28th but not allowed to sit too long. . .I will now be able to work the photos and send them. . .with better shots.

Feather

Oh, I'm sorry to hear you had surgery. I hope it was nothing terribly serious, and that you are recovering nicely in any event. Did not mean to sound impatient, sorry! Now the mystery is solved, though:-) Take care.

Thank you. No, I didn't take it as impatience, especially as you didn't know - the surgery could have been very serious, but thankfully was not. I am recovering nicely. . .tomorrow marks three weeks. . .it was a spinal hardware removal, where they removed one rod and three screws from along the left side of the lumbar spine due to nerve root complications caused by broken pedicle bones that caused the screws to tip downward and into the foramen and nerve root endings. There's still some minor nerve pain but I am doing great. :)