Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Great Egrets are year-round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They can often be found near a river. Craig Tooley photographed one resting on a coastal bluff.

In breeding plumage, a patch of feathers on their face near their eyes turns green. We have a smaller egret here, a Snowy Egret. Eric Zetterholm's photo shows the larger Great Egret on the left and the smaller Snowy Egret on the right.

Great Egrets are the symbol of the National Audubon Society. These birds were killed for their feathers, which were used to decorate women's hats. Audubon was founded to stop this practice, thus saving these elegant birds from extinction.

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

Drippy fog early this morning has completely disappeared. It's a lovely summer day on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Amy Ruegg several weeks ago wrote, "I am so excited to share my photo of Little Prince’s Pine or Pipsissewa, which grows in the Redwood forest on the ridge in The Sea Ranch. It is such a special little plant, only about two or three inches tall. I have been trying to find one in full bloom and get a picture of it for over five years. Today it was absolutely perfect, even though the mosquitoes were attacking me as I held still for the shot.”

Craig Tooley also got a photo one one, this one a close-up of the flower. Isn't it striking?

A neighboring property in Anchor Bay has several groups of these native wildflowers, but they are growing in full sun. However, this year there are no flowers. These tiny plants are quite sturdy, and they are a joy to find.

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

Happy Summer Solstice, the first day of summer. We started out foggy this morning but the sun soon prevailed, at least in Anchor Bay. It's sunny with a few drifting high clouds. I wish you a happy summer as we navigate through these difficult times. Walks in nature can surely help!

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Craig Tooley photographed this handsome buck, one of Craig's 'Pics O' JOY!'

Velvet is the membrane that nourishes the growing antlers inside. This buck sure looks healthy, and you can see the black tail for which these Deer were named.

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 to his website: www.ruffimage.com

Another cloudy, mild day but with no wind. The Pacific Ocean looks rather like a lake!

Spring doesn't know...

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Black Oystercatchers nest just above the high tide line on rocky areas on the coast. Craig Tooley recently spotted this mother with her eggs.

We hope people will be careful exploring the rocky shoreline this time of year, for the sake of these and other nesting birds.

Some years ago Craig got a photo of two Black Oystercatchers mating. Look at the voyeuristic Harbor Seal in the background!

This photo made me laugh! I hope you enjoy it too.

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

We have a lot of clouds today but it is still warm.

Spring doesn't know...

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Craig Tooley has sent his "Pic O JOY" photo and it's a beautiful native wildflower, Inside-out Flower, Vancouveria planipetala. These delicate flowers usually bloom near Redwood trees, so they are flowers of the forest.

This unusual spring-blooming wildflower is a member of the Barberry family. Its scientific name refers to explorer Captain George Vancouver. He explored the Pacific Northwest in the 1790's.

Thanks to Craig, once again, for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

oh boy, it's downright HOT today! I'm writing this close to 4 pm and our outside temperature here in Anchor Bay at the 600+ foot level is 92 degrees! Too HOT - I must lodge a complaint!

And spring doesn't know...