Sightings

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The Mendonoma Coast is experiencing higher numbers of Pine Siskins and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Ron LeValley informed us that cone-producing trees to the north have failed to produce enough feed for these birds so they have migrated into our area. I love the nasal call of the Red-breasted Nuthatches. They sound like tin horns in the forest. Rick and I hear their calls every day.

Pine Siskins aren't so raucous. One particular bird happened upon a get together of friends on The Sea Ranch recently. It first flew to the shoulder of Dick Balch and then proceeded to walk around his back to the other shoulder. Then it flew to George Anderson's finger where it stayed for a while. Kathy Anderson had retrieved her camera in time to get this photo.

What a gift of trust this little bird gave Dick and  George - a blessing dressed in feathers.
Thanks to Kathy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Several days ago I showed you a photo Allen Vinson took of a White-tailed Kite on top a tree, looking like an ornament. Here is a close-up photo of the Kite.

Allen photographed an adult White-tailed Kite - a beautiful and distinctive raptor that lives year round on the Mendonoma Coast. Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Bettye Winters photographed several different sunsets recently from the bluffs near Irish Beach. The Mendonoma Coast has had some early rainstorms and a cold storm is forecast for tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday. Storms to our north bring unsettled skies, which is what Bettye named this first photo.

And the photo below is an example of an autumn sunset. We are fortunate indeed to see the sun set "into" the Pacific Ocean.

 And the photo below could be a painting. Bettye calls this one stormy weather.

Thanks to Bettye for allowing me to share her beautiful photos with you here.

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Annie Mills was enjoying Cook's Beach, which is just north of the town of Gualala. She found two Whimbrels enjoying the beach too.

Migrating Whimbrels breed far to our north and they travel several thousand miles, twice each year. They can occasionally be seen feeding and resting on local beaches. Whimbrels use their long beaks to probe in the sand for tasty treats - crabs being one of their favorite food source.

To hear the call of a Whimbrel, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whimbrel/sounds

To see more about Cook's Beach and learn how to find it, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/12/cooks-beach-a-beautiful-pocket-beach-just-north-of-gualala/

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

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Bobcats are thriving on the Mendonoma Coast. Their favorite meal - gophers - are abundant in meadows. One particularly handsome Bobcat has been spotted in the Iversen Road area, which is north of Anchor Bay. Jeff and Pearl Watts have been fortunate to spot this Bobcat several times. In the photo below you can clearly see this cat's tufted ears.

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