Sightings

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Paul Kozal photographed spring flowers and a dramatic sky at The Sea Ranch.

Spring flowers and a dramatic sky by Paul Kozal

A picture of loveliness for you today!

To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://paulkozal.com/home.html

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For several years a Steller's Jay nest has held chicks. The adults built the nest above a light fixture on the outside of our house in Anchor Bay. The nesting female was so quiet, you hardly knew she was on the nest. But when the eggs hatched, the babies could be heard when a parent approached with food.

Last week the chicks had grown and were close to fledging. Here's a look at the three chicks.

Steller's Jay chicks by Jeanne Jackson

One of the chicks was watching me pretty close as I took its picture.

Steller's Jay chick looking at me by Jeanne Jackson

Most of the twigs and small branches are from a Japanese Maple tree in our garden. The three chicks fledged last week.

Here's what two fully grown adults looks like. Siegfried Matull caught these two in flight.

Steller's Jays by Siegfried Matull 3

And here is a funny photo of a fledgling that Connie Matz took several years ago. "Feed meeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Steller's Blue Jay fledging by Connie Matz

Thanks to Siegfried and Connie for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Velvet is the membrane that nourishes the antlers of our local Black-tailed Deer. Christina Chapman photographed two young Bucks recently.

Two Young Bucks by Christina Chapman

Jeff Watts noticed these two Deer, one a Buck, near Iversen Road, north of Gualala.

A Buck in velvet by Jeff Watts

If you could touch the velvet you would find it hot to the touch!

Thanks to Christina and Jeff for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Margaret Lindgren was out on the bluffs when she saw this huge flock of Brown Pelicans winging their way northward.

Squadron of Brown Pelicans by Margaret Lindgren

Here is a closer look at two adult Brown Pelicans with their white heads.

Two adult Brown Pelicans by Ken Bailey

These birds are being impacted by the oil spill off of Santa Barbara. I saw a photo of one of these beautiful birds completely coated in oil. We must find a way to never let this happen again.

Thanks to Margaret and Ken for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To learn about Margaret's amazing hiking tours here on the coast, here is her website: http://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/. And to see much more of Ken's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/.

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Common Ravens are thriving on the Mendonoma Coast. And it is a cause for concern. Ravens are extremely intelligent and people enjoy feeding them. Peggy Berryhill lives in a area where a neighbor has been feeding these big black bird. Here is a collage of what Peggy saw the other afternoon.

Ravenwood by Peggy Berryhill

Ravens eat pretty much everything, including carrion, and they raid nests of other less aggressive birds. It would be best not to feed them, as they do not need anyone's help.

When they have more food available, they are able to lay more eggs, thus we have more Ravens. Here is a recent photo of a Raven's nest taken by Kathy Bishop showing newly hatched four chicks in the nest.

Common Raven Chicks by Kathy Bishop

One of the things I admire about Ravens is their vocalizations. They have a "clock, clock" sound which is quite beautiful.

Thanks to Peggy and Kathy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.