Tag Archives: Chris Beach

• 2 Comments

•

Chris Beach photographed the beautiful Cliff Swallows building nests on rocky cliffs. This sandstone looks perfect for multiple nests.

These swallows like to be in a group - no social distancing going on here! They build intricate nests out of mud in the shape of a gourd. This photo was taken some years ago by Robert Scarola.

Cliff Swallows will often use overpasses, the golf course tunnels at Sea Ranch, and even the Gualala Bridge. Rick and I were kayaking under the bridge when I discovered dozens and dozens of Cliff Swallow nests.

Here is a closer look at these beautiful birds. This photo was also taken by Robert Scarola.

These swallows eat lots and lots of insects every day.

Thanks to Chris and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's raining here this afternoon, and the gentle rain feels like a balm.

Spring doesn't know...

•

Chris Beach photographed the action at the mouth of the Gualala River recently. A small group of Harbor Seals had a big Steelhead. One of the two mated Bald Eagles seen at the river tried to steal it away.

The Bald Eagle was not successful...this time!

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

•

Chris Beach got this wonderful photo of the juvenile Tundra Swan as it flapped its wings in the Gualala River.

The swan hasn't been seen for a few days, so perhaps he/she has moved on. Mel Smith told me he saw the swan flying northward late last week.

We've had visits from mature Bald Eagles recently. I'll be posting about them soon.

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

•

Paul Brewer's wife, Jacquie, called out for him to get his camera quick! There in a tree by their Gualala home was an immature Bald Eagle.

Robert Keiffer and Ron LeValley took a look at Paul's photo and determined this is a one-year old Bald Eagle, an immature. They can fly great distances, so we have no idea if this eagle was born near here, or somewhere much further away.

Here is a photo Chris Beach took of the two mature Bald Eagles, presumably a mated pair, that have been thrilling us with sightings by the mouth of the Gualala River.

And we have news that there is a confirmed Bald Eagle nest north of Gualala, on private, remote land. I was told there was an active nest last year, and again this year. Perhaps we will have a nest discovered in the watershed of the Gualala River too. These are exciting developments for those of us who love these magnificent birds of prey.

Thanks to Paul and Chris for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

• 2 Comments

•

On Sunday, two mature Bald Eagles were seen on the sandbar of the Gualala River and Chris Beach photographed them. One of his photos will be in this week's Independent Coast Observer in my Mendonoma Sightings column. His other two photos I share with  you here.

The first photo shows a nice flyby of one of the Bald Eagles - just magnificent.

And the second shows one of the Bald Eagles bringing an Eel back to where the other Eagle waits.

Are they a mated pair? No nest has been found...yet!

Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his photos with you here.