Tag Archives: year round resident

Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They have a varied diet, which includes small rodents and fish. Ron Bolander photographed one that had just found dinner.

Just look at the beautiful scene with the Pacific Ocean in the background!

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

Lots and lots of wind today to go with the sunny skies.

Spring doesn't know...

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/

It's always a treat to see a Red-shouldered Hawk. Mark Simkins recently photographed a young one near Manchester sitting on a fence post.

A juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk by Mark Simkins

And Robert Scarola spotted a juvenile in the Sea Ranch area. These hawks are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk by Robert Scarola

Robert also photographed this forest hawk on a rainy day and the bird doesn't look pleased!

Juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk in Light Rain by Robert Scarola

These hawks have a distinctive call. You can hear it at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/sounds

Here is what an adult looks like, photo taken by Jim Garlock. No more brown head!

Red-shouldered Hawk by Jim Garlock

Thanks to Mark, Robert, and Jim for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Gail Spencer photographed this Gray Fox relaxing in the sun. Gray Foxes are suppose to be nocturnal but they are often seen in the daylight hours here on the Mendonoma Coast.

A Gray Fox enjoying the sun by Gail Spencer

Gray Foxes have a raspy bark for their call - it is quite distinctive. And they are year round residents here.

I imagine that this fox is seeking the shade today, as we are in the middle of a heat wave. Even at the bluff edge it is warm today.

Thanks to Gail for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Paul Brewer trained his camera on an Anna's Hummingbird and this is the result.

Anna's Hummingbird feeds by Paul Brewer

Anna's Hummingbird by Paul Brewer

Anna's Hummingbirds are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. To hear their call, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/annas_hummingbird/sounds

To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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