Pacific Wren's are hard to photograph. Mike Reinhart heard one singing, played the song on his iPhone, and the little bird flew over to check it out. Once there, Mike got some lovely shots of this songbird with the upright tail.
To listen to this bird's beautiful call, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pacific_Wren/sounds
Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Risso's Dolphins usually can't be seen from coastal bluffs, but a pod came close enough for Eric Zetterholm to photograph them with his long lens.
Risso's Dolphins follow their food source, Squid. Their bodies are marked with scratches from their encounters with the Squids' beaks. Risso's Dolphins are quite acrobatic. It's a treat to see them.
Here are two close-ups of a Risso's take by Ron LeValley on a pelagic trip.
Thanks to Eric and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/
With the warmth, wildflowers are blooming. Time to get out and see them!
Sara Bogard photographed a newborn Harbor Seal pup getting a caress from its mother.
You can see the pup is already in the water. Harbor Seal mothers give birth on land, in secluded coves. There is a nursery off The Sea Ranch where you can observe the seals without disturbing them. Docents are on duty to make sure the vulnerable pups are left alone. We never want to disturb wildlife - do no harm is a great motto.
Please don't try to "rescue" a pup. Call the Marine Mammal Center if you find an animal in distress. They will send a trained local volunteer to assess the situation. The number for the Center is 415) 289-7325. Their website is: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/
Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Nothing but beautiful sunshine on the Mendonoma coast today! 70 degrees...wow.
Ken and Martha Fischer were walking at Manchester State Beach when they approached this piece of driftwood. Ken said it looked like the Sphinx.
What do you see? It's fun finding shapes in nature. Here's a driftwood pig that Ed Connolly found.
And a driftwood heart that Craig Tooley used to wish friends a happy Valentine's day.
Thanks to Ken, Ed and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Beautiful sunsets delight the senses. The colors are set off by the Pacific Ocean. Paul Brewer photographed this sunset a few weeks ago.
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
One last small storm this afternoon/evening and then the weather is predicted to be sunny and warmer. Sounds like a good week to be on the Mendonoma coast!