Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Craig Tooley recently photographed a Barred Owl, a large owl native to Eastern North America. It has, however,  made its way to the Pacific Northwest in recent years.

There is concern that Barred Owls will negatively affect the native Spotted Owls. The Barred Owl’s hooting call is described as, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” You can hear it for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds

To compare a Barred with a Spotted Owl, here is a look at a Spotted that Craig photographed some time ago.

I love owls, I admit it. I heard the hooting of a Great Horned Owl a few nights ago and it brought me comfort!

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

It's sunny today with a northwest wind - more upwelling in the ocean! Rain coming in for the weekend.

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Craig Tooley spotted this beautiful hawk recently. We first thought it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk but it turns out the experts agree it's a Cooper's Hawk.

Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about these hawks:

"Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds)." Yes, they eat smaller birds.

To hear their call, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/sounds

It's not a musical call, is it?  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: http://www.ruffimage.com

Feels like a storm is coming in this afternoon!

 

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Are you afraid of arachnids? Craig Tooley isn’t. He wrote, “The Harvestmen are back. They’ve actually been back for over four months. I just had not gotten out to get any pictures. They are really quite amazing, though I’m not sure exactly what they are eating.”

Craig’s photo shows a cluster of Harvestmen, a non-venomous arachnid also called Daddy long-legs. They are actually quite beneficial to a house. They are omnivores, eating insects, other spiders, aphids, dead insects, fungus, and more. They form clusters for protection.

Craig got a close-up of a couple of Harvestmen. He found the lead one was smiling at him!

Hope this photo makes you smile!

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

It's a stunning day on the Mendonoma coast. We are sad, though, that all the beaches and parks have been closed. Even the Point Arena Pier closed to everyone except the fishermen with boats. We'll get through this...together.

Spring doesn't know...

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Calypso Orchids, Calypso bulbosa, are blooming in undisturbed forests now. Craig Tooley recently photographed one.

Don't be fooled by Craig's extreme close-up - these native wildflowers are very tiny, only about three inches high. Notice the leaf on the left of the flower. It is easier to spot as it lays nearly flat on the forest floor. These wildflowers need a fungus in the soil to thrive so they can not be transplanted. They are also called Fairy Slippers or Venus's Slippers.

This morning Rick and I walked our neighbor's property where a handful grow. Yes, Lonnie and Bob, they are blooming now!

Thanks to Craig 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

Absolutely lovely day with blue skies and a gentle breeze. Gray Whale spouts can be seen over the serene Pacific Ocean. Things are to change tomorrow with the promise of rain.

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Always lovely to see, Western Trilliums are in bloom on the Mendonoma Coast now. Tricia Schuster photographed one of the first ones to bloom.

Promise me you won't pick them! If picked, the leaf-like bracts won't be there to produce food for next year. Picking trilliums can kill them, or at the very least, set them back for years. So not worth it, right?

Western Trillium blossoms change color as they age. Here's a photo Craig Tooley took some years ago showing the fresh white trillium and an older trillium, perhaps 5 to 7 days older, with a pink blossom.

Thanks to Tricia 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: www.ruffimage.com

Another sunny, warm, dry - as in no rain for weeks - day. New flash! The first of the northbound Gray Whales have been seen of our coast. These are the newly pregnant females headed to their feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas.