Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Peter Cracknell caught this Osprey resting on a branch. Ospreys have returned to the Mendonoma Coast to build or rebuild their nests, pair up and hopefully start a new family.

An Osprey rests by Peter Cracknell

Ospreys build their nests on top of flat-top trees. The nests are quite substantial, as they must survive the winds that blow in from the northwest in springtime and from the southwest in stormy weather. Here is an Osprey nest photographed by Craig Tooley.

Osprey nest by Craig Tooley

The Osprey nest that Rick and I can see through our spotting scope blew down in the December storms so the Osprey pair have been busy rebuilding it. The female is now sitting on the nest so perhaps there is an egg or two in there. I hope so!

Thanks to Peter 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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Some of the "boys" were in an amorous mood but the lone female Gray Whale wasn't interested. To get away from the males, she did a maneuver that looks like she's standing on her head. Barry Weiss and Craig Tooley each got photos of this. The first photo is Barry's.

Female Gray Whale head down by Barry Weiss Female Gray Whale trying to avoid amorous males by Craig Tooley

This isn't the right time of year for females to be impregnated. But tell that to the fellas.

Thanks to Barry 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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Craig Tooley photographed a rare fire rainbow. Actually, if you look closely, there are two fire rainbows.

Fire Rainbows by Craig Tooley

This phenomenon is more properly called a circumhorizontal arc. Rather than a rainbow, it is an ice halo, caused by ice crystals in cirrus clouds. It is rare to see one.

Here is one taken by Susan Cerruti. The fire rainbow appeared over the Cypress Center in Gualala

Fire Rainbow by Susan Cerruti

And another by Don Spear.

Fire Rainbow by Don Spear

They are beautiful to see, that's for sure! Thanks to Craig, Susan, and Don for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link: www.ruffimage.com

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Robert Scarola photographed what I believe is a yellow flash.

The Double Sun by Robert Scarola

The night after I thought for sure I was going to get my first photo of a green flash but I photographed what Robert described in his photo as "two suns" or a yellow flash.

Yellow Flash by Jeanne Jackson

Andrew T. Young has a fascinating article on the web about green flashes. He wrote, “Green flashes are not always green; they can be yellow, green, blue, or even violet. But green is the hue seen most often.”

Mr. Young also has some unsolved green flash mysteries. Perhaps you can  help solve one of them. Here is the link: http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/unsolved.html

Here is one of my favorite green flash photos, taken by Craig Tooley. It shows a double green flash.

Double Green Flash JAN by Craig Tooley

One of the myths about green flashes is that it is good luck when you see one. Let's expand that to yellow flashes too!

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

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Bowling Ball Beach is a perfect place to beachcomb at low tide. The rock formations help catch treasures from the sea. The treasure Catherine Miller was seeking? Pieces of abalone shells, tumbled and shaped by the ocean waves. With them she made this beautiful mirror as a Christmas gift for her brother.

Abalone shell mirror by Catherine Miller

It is the inside of the Abalone shell that has this beautiful iridescence. Here's a look at an intact shell, photo taken by Craig Tooley.

Abalone shell by AUG Craig Tooley

Thanks to Catherine for sharing her creation and photo with us here. And thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com.