Tag Archives: Marianne Rittenhouse

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I'll let Massomeh Roberts tell the story:

“I saw a large Great Blue Heron on the bluff overlooking Black Point Beach. It was moving very slowly, focused on the ground. All of a sudden its head was down into the ground, and it came up with a Vole! I had my camera ready, and snapped the shot as the bird was getting ready to take off.”

Great Blue Heron nabs a vole by Massomeh Roberts

Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They are a treat to see. When they fly, their neck is an aerodynamic "S" shape. Marianne Rittenhouse photographed this.

Great Blue Heron in flight by Marianne Rittenhouse (Medium)

This "S" shape also allows them to strike at prey very quickly.

And we have liftoff - a Great Blue Heron by Paul Brewer

Here is one of my favorite Great Blue Heron photos, taken by Paul Brewer. It is titled "And we have liftoff!"

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

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Rozann Grunig captured this dramatic photo of a Great Blue Heron perched on a rock during the wild surf. Storms to our north can cause high surf on the Mendonoma Coast in November.  The heron sure looks like it is hunkered down!

To see a lovely photo by Marianne Rittenhouse of a Great Blue Heron at the moment it takes wing, and to learn more about Great Blue Herons, click on this link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/09/30/great-blue-heron-photographed-just-as-it-takes-flight-a-lovely-photograph-by-marianne-rittenhouse/

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Great Blue Herons are one of most photographed birds on the Mendonoma Coast. They are seen often in the meadows at The Sea Ranch hunting for rodents. Marianne Rittenhouse captured a photo of one just as it was taking flight.

Great Blue Herons are wading birds, eating small fish and other goodies in the shallow waters. They also feed on rodents, which TSR meadows have in abundance.

Their nests are made of big, bulky sticks. There are several nests in trees across the Russian River by Duncan's Mills. Adult Herons have few predators as they are so big. The only creatures that can take an adult Heron are Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls and, very occasionally a Red-tailed Hawk.

I thank Marianne for allowing me to share her beautiful photo with you.