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Any day you see dolphins is a good day, right? Mike Reinhart saw them first, off the southern end of The Sea Ranch. As the pod of Risso's Dolphins, Grampus griseus, swam northward, John Batchelder got photos of them.

 

Here are two close-ups of Risso's Dolphins taken by Ron LeValley some years ago.

They are also called Gray Dolphins and they travel in large pods. They can dive at least 1,000 feet and can hold their breath for thirty minutes.

Thanks to John and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. John will have another photo he took in this week's Independent Coast Observe to go with my Mendonoma Sightings column. The ICO has print and on-line subscriptions. Why don't you join in the fun? http://www.mendonoma.com/

To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

We are having a showery day today. My best to you as we realize Spring doesn't know.

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Ferne Fedeli once again found a Common Raven liberating hair from the backside of her donkey. I guess Ferne's donkey has nice soft hair, perfect for lining a nest.

Ron Bolander found this Raven attacking the mirror on a Coastal Seniors' bus.

Sometimes a bird sees its reflection in a mirror or glass and thinks he sees a handsome competitor. Ron tells me they now cover the mirrors with small wastepaper baskets to protect them.

Thanks to Ferne and Ron for allowing me to share their fun photos with you here.

We had a vigorous storm come through overnight, dropping over an inch of much-needed rain. Today is sun-drenched with white, puffy clouds drifting by. Just lovely.

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There has been a male Roosevelt Elk near the hamlet of Elk for several years now. He has been hanging out with a group of domestic cattle. Ferne Fedeli found him missing his magnificent rack recently. Here's what he looks like without his antlers.

He's not quite as imposing without them, is he? Here's what he looked like with his antlers, this photo taken by Ron Bolander.

He'll be growing a new set soon. I wonder if this is the year he will find a mate. Roosevelt Elk are seen to our north; until this fellow arrived, only a few have been spotted on the Mendonoma coast.

Thanks to Ferne and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are having light rain today. As I type this, the clouds have lifted a bit and I can see the Pacific Ocean. I've received several reports of Risso's Dolphins headed my direction. Hope I get to see them.

Spring doesn't know...

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Craig Tooley spotted this beautiful hawk recently. We first thought it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk but it turns out the experts agree it's a Cooper's Hawk.

Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about these hawks:

"Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds)." Yes, they eat smaller birds.

To hear their call, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/sounds

It's not a musical call, is it?  Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Feels like a storm is coming in this afternoon!

 

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Are you afraid of arachnids? Craig Tooley isn’t. He wrote, “The Harvestmen are back. They’ve actually been back for over four months. I just had not gotten out to get any pictures. They are really quite amazing, though I’m not sure exactly what they are eating.”

Craig’s photo shows a cluster of Harvestmen, a non-venomous arachnid also called Daddy long-legs. They are actually quite beneficial to a house. They are omnivores, eating insects, other spiders, aphids, dead insects, fungus, and more. They form clusters for protection.

Craig got a close-up of a couple of Harvestmen. He found the lead one was smiling at him!

Hope this photo makes you smile!

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

It's a stunning day on the Mendonoma coast. We are sad, though, that all the beaches and parks have been closed. Even the Point Arena Pier closed to everyone except the fishermen with boats. We'll get through this...together.

Spring doesn't know...