Connie King photographed one of the first Fawns to appear this spring. You have to admit, he/she is very cute! And exquisite.
Thanks to Connie for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Breezy and sunny day today. Lots of visitors beginning to arrive! Welcome to the Mendonoma Coast!
Craig Tooley got a good look at a small bird that can be hard to photograph. This Golden-crowed Kinglet took two good looks right back at Craig!
The second photo, where the kinglet is looking back at Craig makes me laugh!
Golden-crowned Kinglets are birds of the forest and they eat insects. They are not much bigger than a hummingbird! Their call is quite high pitched. You can hear their call at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden-crowned_Kinglet/sounds
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com
We've had a lot of wind this week, but this morning was calm. But the wind returned this afternoon. It must be spring! Temps in the low 70's today.
In forests, a spectacular member of the Lily family is blooming now, Red Clintonia, Clintonia andrewsiana. I photographed this beauty just after Monday's rain.
This perennial herb is native to California, mainly Northern California. While many native wildflowers are small, this plant practically announces itself, "I'm here and I'm beautiful!"
Today has been sunny and windy, especially close to the ocean, temps in the 60's.
Perry Hoffman wrote, "I saw these birds cawing and pursuing each other and wondered if it was a mating ritual... turn out I was correct. I did a composite photo to show them in action
I've read that Pigeon Guillemots are socially monogamous and keep their pair bonds for many breeding seasons. In spring, pairs return to the breeding grounds, like here off the Mendonoma Coast, and begin courtship near the nest site. The male often chases or circles the female at sea, calling, and sometimes pursues her underwater. And that's what Perry saw and photographed.
On land, the male circles or even jumps over the female, pointing his bill downward and raising his red feet conspicuously as he marches. The female, suitably impressed, circles the male, and then indicates her acceptance.
To hear their very high-pitched calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pigeon_Guillemot/sounds
Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Perry's photography and artwork, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/
Sunny and warm today with a gentler breeze than yesterday!
Mark Hancock wrote, “My grandson Ollie and I stopped at the Vista Trail at the top of the Jenner Grade to give my dog Tasi her walk. As we completed the loop we were thrilled to see a baby King Snake on the path. I used to catch them regularly as a kid in Corte Madera, but hadn't seen one for decades up here on the coast.”
I sent Mark’s photo to herpetologist Gary Nafis. He wrote, “Yes, it's a Cal King. They don't seem to be as common on the north coast as they are elsewhere.”California King Snakes are non venomous.
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
After the rain of Sunday night into Monday - we received 0.37 inches at Rick's and my place, 61.93 season to date - sunshine and wind have ruled the day. Spring winds bring upwelling in the Pacific Ocean, igniting the entire food chain in the ocean.