Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Craig Tooley was out photographing wildflowers in the rain when he found one of my favorite wildflowers, Fairy Bells, Disporum smithii. One wildflower book has them as Largeflower Fairybells. Either way, they are exquisite.

Fairy Bells in the rain by Craig Tooley

This member of the Lily family is found in shady woods. Their flowers shyly hide underneath their leaves, so it's wonderful to spot them.

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

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A male Harlequin Duck has been spotted off Black Point Beach on The Sea Ranch. Craig Tooley got several photos of the beautiful bird.

Harlequin Duck poses by Craig Tooley Harlequin Duck in the water by Craig Tooley

This duck is banded but Craig can only make out three numbers. He's trying to locate it again and try for the complete number so this sighting can be reported.

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

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When fresh up, Western Trilliums are white. As they age they turn pink and then purple. Craig Tooley photographed one as it changed to pink.

Western Trillium changing from white to pink by Craig Tooley

Craig mentioned that it looked like it had been hand-painted.

A wet storm hit the Mendonoma Coast in the wee hours of the morning, bringing two inches of rain at our place in Anchor Bay. There are several more storms to come, for which we are very grateful.

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

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Glenn and Kalynn Funk noticed this cute little owl in an owl nesting box they put up in their Anchor Bay property some years ago. Finally, they have attracted a Western Screech-Owl. Craig Tooley went over and captured a photo of the little owl.

A Western Screech-owl in a nesting box by Craig Tooley Western Screech-Owl finds a home by Craig Tooley

We hope this owl will attract a mate and nest in the Funk's box. What fun that would be!

This owl has a bird-like call, not screech-like at all. To hear it, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Screech-Owl/sounds

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

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Many of our native wildflowers are quite small so you need to pay close attention when hiking in forests or on bluffs. Here are a few that are currently blooming.

Milkmaids, Cardamine californica, a member of the mustard family.

Milkmaids by Amy Ruegg

And Hooker's Fairybells, Disporum hookeri, a member of the lily family. The flowers shyly hid underneath this plant's leaves.

Fairy Bells by Amy Ruegg

Slink Pod, aka Fetid Adder's Tongue, Scoliopus bigelovii, also a member of the lily family.

Fetid Adder's Tongue, the first wildflower of the year, by Craig Tooley

All of these and more are blooming now, though the Slink Pod bloom may be over. I will share more of our coastal wildflowers soon.

The first two photos were taken by Amy Ruegg and the last was taken by Craig Tooley. I thank them for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com