Sightings

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Mark Ricci noticed the big hawk land on a wire.

Red-tailed Hawk by Mark Ricci

Then the Red-tailed Hawk spotted something, something tasty to eat!

Red-tailed Hawk looking for prey by Mark Ricci

The hawk swooped down and nabbed this rodent.

Red-tailed Hawk catches a mouse by Mark Ricci

It ate the rodent, tossed away the fur, and then returned to the wire to look for its next meal.

To hear the screaming calls of these hawks, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They even have a recording of an 11 day old chick. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-tailed_Hawk/sounds

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

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We've had a nice storm with rain, lightning, and cold air. Before the storm, these amazing clouds were moving from north to south over the Pacific Ocean. This one looks like an enormous doorway, a portal.

11.8.15 Sunset Portal in the sky by Jeanne Jackson

And then the sunset.

11.8.15 Sunset by Jeanne Jackson

This afternoon is a 'wait five minutes' kind of day. Showers interspersed with brilliant sunshine make for a beautiful day here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Bob Harrison came across these two Turkey Vultures with their wings extended along old Highway One near Westport. Fog shrouded the air.

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Turkey Vultures extend their wings to dry them in the sun, and to have the sun burn off any microbes from the carrion they eat. I suppose some rays must penetrate the fog. It's a startling sighting, to be sure!

Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photo with you here. We are waiting for another welcome rainstorm tonight.

 

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River Otters are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They cannot abide pollution so their presence speaks to the quality of our waters. Marilyn Green photographed this one on the beach, apparently eat crabs that were molting.

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The River Otter appeared to be playing in the waves, or perhaps it was simply looking for food.

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Nancy Jewhurst spotted this otter on the bluffs while she was walking a trail on The Sea Ranch. Yes, River Otters can be found in the ocean, in rivers and creeks, and on land.

River Otter by Nancy Jewhurst

 

Thanks to Marilyn and Nancy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Peter Baye found this pair mating on his deck near Annapolis in early October. Seems late to be mating, but who am I to judge!

Early October mating CA Sister butterflies by Peter Baye Mating California Sister butterflies by Peter Baye

Here is a photo taken by Robert Scarola to show you what they look like with wings extended.

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Thanks to Peter and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.