Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

•

The calls and emails started coming in early this morning. Some people wondered if they were seeing Orcas but it was a pod of Risso's Dolphins. Craig Tooley was out and got this photo.

Craig also took this video:

You can read more about this sighting in this week's Independent Coast Observer which will be out on Thursday. Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo and video with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

The fog lifted this morning, allowing for great sightings today!

•

There is a nest of Purple Martin chicks near the Gualala River. Craig Tooley watched as one of the parents caught an insect to bring to the hungry chicks. I just took a closer look at Craig's photo, and I believe the Purple Martin has a dragonfly in its beak!

Late in June Mike Petrich photographed a fledgling Purple Martin being fed.Purple Martins here on the West Coast usually nest in woodpecker holes. They are the largest swallows. You can hear their chirpy calls at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Martin/sounds I read there that the male sings his loudest song at dawn.

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

Lots of cool, moist fog for our Sunday morning, though it is pulling back this afternoon, with wind-free sunshine.

 

•

One of Craig Tooley's Pic O Joy, this young American Robin might have just left his/her nest.

Here is a photo Craig took of an adult for comparison.

And here is a photo of a Robin's nest that I took some years ago.

American Robins are beautiful singers. You can listen at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/sounds

Go to the "Sounds and Calls" for the cheery call I'm thinking of. I hear a Robin singing this song at dawn these days - a nice way to start the day.

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

Foggy morning, afternoon sun, and mild temps - a perfect 4th of July forecast!

•

Craig Tooley recently photographed an Inside-out Flower, a member of the Barberry Family.

 

I see there is an insect on the exquisite tiny flower! I was recently shown the foliage of this flower, and I took this photo. They are found in Redwood forests and their Scientific name is Vancouveria planipetala.

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: http://www.ruffimage.com

This morning was so lovely, though there was a fog bank over the Pacific Ocean. The spring wind kicked up this afternoon, and high clouds are streaming by.