Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, are members of the Orchid family. They are late-blooming and grow in moist habitats. Diane Hichwa found this orchid and Craig Tooley photographed it.

Lady's Tresses, Sprianthes romanzoffiana, by Craig Tooley

It's called Lady's Tresses because the spiral is thought to remind you of a lady's braided hair. The scientific name of this orchid honors Count Romanzoff. The good count was the Russian patron of botany.

Thanks to Diane for finding this beauty and 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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Craig Tooley photographed this photo of an adult Western Gull giving its chick "the look." What do you think the caption should be? Western Gull parent tell its chick “Oh, why, yes! They're SUPPOSED to be pink,” cap. by Steve Serdahely, pho.by Craig Tooley Steve Serdahely sent in the winning caption (the judge was Craig's wife, Rita Peck). His caption was: "What? Oh, why YES! They're supposed to be pink!"

Other fun captions were: "Don't you kids wear anything but camo?" by Joseph Reader

"How many times must I repeat that you are still too young to get your beak pierced." by Irma Brandt

"He takes after his father!" by Rozann Grunig

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

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Terry Pfardresher was hiking in a Redwood forest in Gualala when she heard a hissing sound. There on the edge of a Redwood stump was a Turkey Vulture chick. Terry took nature photographer, Craig Tooley, to the site and he got this photo.

Fledgling Turkey Vulture by Craig Tooley

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has this to say about their nests: "Turkey Vultures nest in rock crevices, caves, ledges, thickets, mammal burrows and hollow logs, fallen trees, abandoned hawk or heron nests, and abandoned buildings. These nest sites are typically much cooler (by 13°F or more) than surroundings, and isolated from human traffic or disturbance. While they often feed near humans, Turkey Vultures prefer to nest far away from civilization."

Here is the photo Terry took several days earlier. The young bird hopped down into the hollowed out Redwood stump just after she took this photo, so we're sure that's where the nest is.

Fledgling Turkey Vulture by Terry Bold

This is a rare sighting and I thank Terry for sharing it with us. Thanks also 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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Black Oystercatchers nest on the Mendonoma Coast. Robert Scarola recently photographed an Oystercatcher with two eggs.

Black Oystercatcher with 2 Eggs by Robert Scarola

These eggs have hatched and fledglings have appeared. Here's a photo by Craig Tooley of fledglings.

Black Oystercatcher with three chicks by Craig Tooley

There are three chicks with this Black Oystercatcher. Can  you spot them?

These birds are quite noisy, even when flying. To hear their call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_oystercatcher/sounds

Thanks to Robert 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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As their common name suggests, Stream Orchids grow near water. Holly McCarroll-Baker found some growing near a tributary of the Gualala River.

Wild Stream Orchid by Holly McCarroll-Baker

Their scientific name is Epipactis gigantean and they are also called Chatter Box Orchid. Why? Because the flowers are hinged. When a breeze hits them the petals move. Listen closely and you might hear what they are saying!

Holly is a caterer and owner of Peace of Nature Farms in Annapolis. She catered the book launch party for my book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout The Year. Here she is with photographer Craig Tooley and me just before the doors opened.

Jeanne, Holly and Craig at book launch by Nan Brichetto (Large)

 

Along with quite a few appetizers, she made 1000 truffles, yes 1000 truffles! And not one remained.

Thanks to Holly for a great catering job and for allowing me to share her photo with you here.