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Craig Tooley recently photographed a Barred Owl, a large owl native to Eastern North America. It has, however,  made its way to the Pacific Northwest in recent years.

There is concern that Barred Owls will negatively affect the native Spotted Owls. The Barred Owl’s hooting call is described as, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” You can hear it for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds

To compare a Barred with a Spotted Owl, here is a look at a Spotted that Craig photographed some time ago.

I love owls, I admit it. I heard the hooting of a Great Horned Owl a few nights ago and it brought me comfort!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's wonderful nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's sunny today with a northwest wind - more upwelling in the ocean! Rain coming in for the weekend.

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The northwest wind is howling this afternoon and it's quite biting outside! I don't mind this wind because I know it brings with it upwelling in the Pacific Ocean. This is when the surface waters are replaced by cold, nutrient-rich waters from below. Upwelling ignites the whole food chain, an amazing phenomenon that takes place right here, off the Point Arena Peninsula.

Jinx McCombs had a sighting of a beautiful Bobcat at her home near Point Arena.

She said this Bobcat stayed in this position for over a half hour. Perhaps he/she was enjoying the sun and flowers. This Bobcat has some amazing spots. Fun Fact: The marking of each Bobcat is unique to itself, like our fingerprints are unique to each of us.

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

Sunny, windy, upwelling happening...and Spring doesn't know.

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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...