Tag Archives: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Somewhere on the Mendonoma Coast, there is a Barn Owl family. Paul Brewer, sworn to secrecy about the location, was invited to photograph the chicks. He shared this photo with Sightings.

Looking closely at Paul’s photo, you can see bits of down, white fluff, on its head and shoulders, but the owlet has a heart-shaped face and its flight feathers can be seen. I think he/she is about seven weeks old. At this age, the owlet will be flapping its wings to get ready to take its first flight soon.

Barn Owls don't hoot - they scream. If you'd like to hear their call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Owl/sounds If you have pets, keep the volume low!

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. When you are in Gualala, stop in at The Dolphin, which is across from Trink's. Many of Paul's nature photographs are on display there.

oh my, it's a lovely day here today. No wind and mild temps. There is a fog bank forming over the ocean, so perhaps this warm weather won't last long.

The largest woodpecker on the Mendonoma Coast is the Pileated Woodpecker and Eric Zetterholm recently had one visit his The Sea Ranch home.  Eric wrote, “The fallen trees around our neighborhood from the January storms have attracted a Pileated Woodpecker to hang around a bit. Most often we can only hear it in the morning along with the Acorn Woodpeckers and Quail that are in greater numbers this spring. I had two chances to get pictures of  the Pileated in the last week during the evening sunset lighting that just gets through the thinned-out trees.”

These big woodpeckers have a very distinctive call. You can hear it at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/sounds

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

There is a high fog here today, but the temps are mild.

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

1 Comment

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.