Tag Archives: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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Loch Michie was out photographing near the Point Arena Lighthouse when he saw this Great Blue Heron on the bluffs.

They are so beautiful! They are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

To hear their rather unlovely calls, here is  a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/sounds

Thanks to Loch for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Today is simply amazing - hot on the ridge, perfect on the bluffs. A walk at Gualala Point Regional Park mid-morning with a visiting friend was wonderful!

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If you look close at Pam Powell's beautiful photo, you will such exquisite details of this male California Quail.

The black feather on his head? It's actually three feathers!  These birds are pairing off now, and chicks may soon appear. I found this Fun Fact on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website:

"Several California Quail broods may mix after hatching, and all the parents care for the young. Adults that raise young this way tend to live longer than adults that do not."

You can listen to their calls at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Quail/sounds

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

It's breezy today and warm. 80 degrees this afternoon!

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Craig Tooley got a good look at a small bird that can be hard to photograph. This Golden-crowed Kinglet took two good looks right back at Craig!

The second photo, where the kinglet is looking back at Craig makes me laugh!

Golden-crowned Kinglets are birds of the forest and they eat insects. They are not much bigger than a hummingbird! Their call is quite high pitched. You can hear their call at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden-crowned_Kinglet/sounds

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

We've had a lot of wind this week, but this morning was calm. But the wind returned this afternoon. It must be spring! Temps in the low 70's today.

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Perry Hoffman wrote, "I saw these birds cawing and pursuing each other and wondered if it was a mating ritual... turn out I was correct. I did a composite photo to show them in action

I've read that Pigeon Guillemots are socially monogamous and keep their pair bonds for many  breeding seasons. In spring, pairs return to the breeding grounds, like here off the Mendonoma Coast, and begin courtship near the nest site. The male often chases or circles the female at sea, calling, and sometimes pursues her underwater. And that's what Perry saw and photographed.

On land, the male circles or even jumps over the female, pointing his bill downward and raising his red feet conspicuously as he marches. The female, suitably impressed, circles the male, and then indicates her acceptance.

To hear their very high-pitched calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pigeon_Guillemot/sounds

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Perry's photography and artwork, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/

Sunny and warm today with a gentler breeze than yesterday!

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Ron Bolander wrote, “At Gualala Point Regional Park, on Saturday morning, there seemed to be a little more bird activity.  Between Western Bluebirds, Pygmy Nuthatches and Yellow-rumpled Warblers, there were some better photo opportunities. I was able to get this picture of a ‘Butter Butt’ just as it grabbed this insect, in midair.”

To hear their warbling call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/sounds

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his great photo with you here!

It's a beautiful spring day here today, though breezy. Northwest winds in the spring? They bring UPWELLING in the ocean, which ignites the entire food chain.