Sightings

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Richard Custer was enjoying the fine weather we had last week. Here's his photo of an Osprey.

Perhaps this Osprey has spotted a fish in the ocean and is ready to dive for it.

The Osprey nest we watch through a spotting scope in Anchor Bay has two chicks in it. They are getting bigger with the fish their father brings back to the nest. The mother tears the fish into small bites and then feeds her chicks. The parents are so devoted, it's quite wonderful to observe.

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

Lovely weather today, the air feels as soft as a down pillow.

Spring doesn't know...

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Kathryn Arnold and Michael Kleeman sent in a fascinating video of three Yellow-faced Bumblebees. She wrote, “Michael and I came across some bees behaving mysteriously. There is one large bee and two smaller ones. They appear to be the same species. Are the two smaller ones attacking the larger one? Trying to mate? Hitching a ride? Thanks for helping us solve the mystery!”

I sent Kathryn’s video to Peter Baye and he shared it with entomologist Will Ericson. Peter wrote, “That’s was a Bombus vosnesenskii – Yellow-faced Bumblebee - queen copulating with two males. Will said he’d never seen the actual act before!”

Here's the video:

Thanks to Kathryn for allowing me to share her photo and video with you here.

Cloudy and cool-ish today, quite nice for a walk.

Spring doesn't know...

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It's comforting to witness the normalcy of Nature. In late spring, the male Black-tailed Deer begin sprouting new antlers. They are covered in velvet, a membrane that nourished the growing antlers. Cherle Clark had this handsome fellow pay her a visit recently.

Fawns continue to be born. John Batchelder photographed a newborn that was still wet! So very cute.

Thanks to Cheryl and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Wow, we had a lightning and thunderstorm overnight! Lightning on the Northern California coast doesn't happen very often. We received a little rain too - .16 of an inch at our place in Anchor Bay. Not much, but always welcome.

Spring doesn't know...

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Bill Retzer may have seen the first Gray Fox kit of Spring several weeks ago.

Bill wrote, "It was a little after nine and, because of occasional visiting Raccoons, I’ve a habit of taking the hummingbird feeder in for the evening. I stepped out on the deck and this little guy was swinging the feeder back and forth and then licking off the sugar water that slopped out. The kit seemed quite content.”

I received another sighting of Gray Fox kits, a family of five little ones. I'll share the photo soon.

Clouds, fog, much cooler temperatures, and some rain on the way!

Spring doesn't know...

 

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Marilyn Green noticed this gorgeous grasshopper, which was identified as a Painted Meadow Grasshopper.

Very elegant with the pink markings!

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

Rare bird alert! Gail Jackson (no relation!) photographed what we think is a Parasitic Jaeger which she saw at Gualala Point Regional Park. This type of seabird is rarely seen from land. The bird was headed north. I'll share photos soon.

Our heatwave broke early this morning as billowing fog moved onto the land. As I write this on Thursday afternoon, the ocean and bluffs are shrouded with fog but we are in sun here in Anchor Bay. It's about 20 degrees cooler today - hooray!

Spring doesn't know...