Tag Archives: mating

Eric Zetterholm recently found the Bald Eagles near the mouth of the Gualala River on a cloudy day. In this first photo, the smaller male seems to be "singing" to his mate. Could it be a love song, eagle-style?

Apparently she approved, as the male was allowed to  mate with her.

And in the last photo, the deed is done. hmmm, she doesn't seem very happy...

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share these photos with you here.

Another big storm is headed our way tonight and tomorrow, Sunday. The Gualala River is already full from the previous river-of-rain event. It will be majestic to see when the storm leaves. Batten down the hatches!

Males approach female North American River Otters now for mating. As you can see in Perry Hoffman's photo, the male holds the female's snout in his mouth. Ouch!

More not-so-loving courtship behavior.

It can be painful for the female, and maybe that is why once mating is done she has nothing to do with the male and he is persona non grata. If you see a family of River Otters, it is the mother with her offspring.

River Otters cannot abide pollution so that fact they are thriving here on the Mendonoma Coast is a testament to the clean waters of our rivers and streams.

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photos with you here. He has a photography opening at the White Cap in Anchor Bay on May 19th from 3 to 6 pm. to see much more of Perry's photography, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/

It's lightly raining this afternoon. The wildflowers are glorious now, so when the rain relents, the Mendonoma Coast will be a feast for the eyes!

North American River Otter females seem to only tolerate a male with mating on his mind for a very few minutes. Once the deed is done, he is expected to leave...PRONTO! Rozanne Rapozo recently photographed two River Otters mating in the Gualala River.

Immediately afterwards, the female is driving the male away.

Rozanne said the male had wounds on his face, possibly from this female or a previous female? The female then caught herself a small fish and proceeded to eat.

Interesting dynamic going on here! Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We actually had a little rain late this morning. Nothing measurable but enough to wet the bricks in my courtyard! This afternoon is sunny, cool and breezy - sounds like spring on the Mendonoma Coast!

I have two x-rated sightings for you. After all, it is Spring and love is in the air. Chris Pechal wrote, "Birds do it, bees do it, and apparently if you are lucky, you might see butterflies doing it. I ran across these Margined White Butterflies mating." Chris found these butterflies at The Sea Ranch, perched on a Foget-Me-Not blossom.

Sara Bogard photographed a pair of Black Oystercatchers mating on the bluffs of the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula.

While not actual mating, I did see a mating dance. Just after dawn on Tuesday, I saw a male Anna’s Hummingbird rise high in the sky, then plummet down, pulling up before he crash landed, then hovering in front of a tree, giving out a chirp that I’ve learned comes from his tail feathers. He was performing his mating dance to a female perched in the tree. As I watched, he performed his dance several more times. I hope she was as impressed as I was.

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

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy beautiful day on the Mendonoma Coast. More rain coming in tomorrow afternoon, Monday, according to the predictors!

Grace O'Malley was watching one Pale Swallowtail feeding on geraniums in a friend's garden. Before she knew it, another one had joined the first...and voila! Pale Swallowtails mating.

Such beautiful butterflies! Thanks to Grace for allowing me to share them with you here.

It's very foggy on the coast today!