Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Richard Kuehn noticed spouts over the Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps the vanguard of the southward Gray Whale Migration. More Grays have been seen, though in small numbers.

Early California Gray Whales migrating south by Richard Kuehn

Scott Mercer, a Gray Whale expert, related the theory that, because there was an early ice-out in their prime feeding grounds, they were able to feed earlier than usual. It was then thought the Grays might be on the move earlier than usual, and that has proved to be the case.

Here is an aerial photo of a Gray Whale that Craig Tooley took last year.

A Gray Whale by Craig Tooley

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

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Ken and Martha Fischer were surprised to see all these Moon Jellies washed up at the mouth of the Garcia River.

Moon Jellies washed up at the mouth of the Garcia River by Ken Fischer

Ken said there were thousands of them and surmised that huge surf had thrown them up onto land.

Moon Jellyfish, Aurelia, are found in most of the world’s oceans. They only live for a few months.

Here's a happier photo, one that Craig Tooley took of Bell Jellies off our Coast.

Bell Jellies JAN by Craig Tooley

This photo appears in my book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year. Craig is the featured photographer.

Thanks to Ken  and Craig 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

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Richard Kuehn often looks at the birds and the sea mammals that occupy Gualala Point Island. He was surprised to see something new among the usual suspects - a juvenile Brown Booby. Craig Tooley came out and took these photos. Doesn't it look like the Cormorants are surprised to see it?

A juvenile Brown Booby takes flight by Craig Tooley Brandt's Cormorants eyeing a Brown Booby by Craig Tooley

These birds are normally found in the tropics, so what it is doing here is a mystery.
Thanks to Rich for the sighting and 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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Craig Tooley was driving down Longmeadow Road when he spotted this Coyote, Canis latrans.

Coyote on The Sea Ranch by C raig Tooley

It looks pretty healthy and is probably feeding on the many Sea Ranch Gophers.

Here's another photo Craig took of a Coyote some time ago.

Coyote by Craig Tooley

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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Pigeon Guillemots lay their eggs in crevices or small cavities in rocky cliffs or islands. There are two known Pigeon Guillemot nests on Gualala Point Island. Craig Tooley recently photographed this pair.

Pigeon Guillemots by Craig Tooley

These two are in breeding plumage. Non-breeders have mostly white heads and white underparts. Notice their bright red/orange feet! They are only found in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Adults are busy feeding the young in their rocky nest. We hope to see them fledge in the days to come.

To hear their calls, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pigeon_Guillemot/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