Tag Archives: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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Brandt's Cormorants are nesting along the Mendonoma Coast. Jon Shiu photographed this group at the Mendocino Headlands.

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: “The largest cormorant on the Pacific Coast, Brandt’s Cormorant is an expert diver that can swim deeper than 200 feet in pursuit of fish and shellfish. In addition to standard cormorant black, Brandt’s sports a vivid cobalt-blue throat patch and eyes during breeding season, along with wispy white feathers on the head. This species nests and forages in the California Current, an area of rich upwelling between British Columbia, Canada, and Baja California, Mexico.”

How great to see the blue throat patch in Jon’s photo!

Thanks to Jon for allowing me to share his photo.

It’s sunny with a gentle breeze…a beautiful day on the Mendonoma coast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Acorn Woodpeckers are striking birds, with their colorful faces. Ron Bolander recently photographed a female.

The female has black feathers between the white and red feathers on her head. The male doesn't have the black band of feathers on his head. They have a unique call which you can hear at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Acorn_Woodpecker/sounds

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

oh my, it's WINDY today! There have been power outages because of the wind. And there isn't a cloud to be seen as I type this...just a cold wind!

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The migration of birds is a wonder when you stop to think about it. They fly great distances twice a year. Aleutian Cackling Geese are flying to southern Oregon where they will feed, rest and get ready for the next migratory stage, flying to the Aleutian Islands. Sara Bogard recently photographed a flock passing by the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula.

In the early 1970’s, these birds numbered only 350 and were on the endangered species list. The story of their comeback is an inspiration. Today there are over 170,000 Aleutian Cackling Geese to delight birdwatchers of all ages.

To listen to their "cackling" call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cackling_Goose/sounds

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

It's sunny with many passing clouds, breezy and cool. 61.35 inches of rain so far at Rick's and my place! We always considered 50 inches a normal rain year.

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I love flickers and see them often alongside the road where I live in Anchor Bay, near a neighbor's spring box. These woodpeckers feed mostly on the ground as they eat ants,  beetles, and other insects. Paul Brewer caught a male Northern Flicker in flight, a beautiful sight to behold.

To hear the call of this bird, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/sounds

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

It's clear and sunny today, with a quiet ocean. That means great visibility for spotting Gray Whales on their northward migration.

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Ron Bolander was at the right place - right outside his home - when he spotted this Hermit Thrush. And the little thrush was headed straight for a ripe berry with his or her beak wide open.

What great timing by Ron to catch this Hermit Thrush stepping forward for a meal!

Hermit Thrushes have a beautiful song. I always listen for the first trills early in the morning as we get closer to spring. You can hear the song at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_Thrush/sounds

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

It rained hard Sunday morning but it cleared up for the afternoon. It was then sunny and cool. Clouds began piling in in the late afternoon as more rain is headed our way!