Craig Tooley caught this Anna's Hummingbird glowing from the sunlight, showing the subtle colors of this tiny bird.
Anna's Hummingbirds are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Here is another photo of one that Craig took - this is a male. This photo appears in my book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout The Year.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much, much more of Craig's wildlife photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com
It's quite a sighting to see two Banana Slugs forming the symbol of yin-yang. Craig Tooley photographed just that.
The two Banana Slugs are actually preparing to mate. I was asked recently, who eats them? Garter snakes eat them, for one example. Raccoons eat them as do Ducks, Geese and Salamanders. Rick and I see them every day in our forest - tiny ones, skinny ones, fat ones. This spring they seem to be very abundant.
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.
It's that time of year - Harbor Seal pups are being born. Carol Hunter got a photo of one of the very first pups of 2014.
Harbor Seal pups and their moms bond right after birth. It is quite endearing to see. Below is a photo from last year of a pup nuzzling its mom. It was taken by Craig Tooley.
After birthing, the mother Harbor Seal will leave her pup on the beach while she hunts for fish. Never try to "rescue" a pup or any other marine mammal. If you believe one needs help, call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-7325 or 415)289-SEAL.
Thanks to Carol and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
To see much more of Craig's nature photographs, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com
Red-tailed Hawks are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. When the sun hits their tail just right you can see why they got their name. Craig Tooley captured the moment this Red-tail took flight.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share this photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com
Most local Abalone divers have not gone out yet, as conditions are pretty rough. Wind and swells make it tough on divers. That hasn't stopped some visitors to the Mendonoma Coast though. There are divers in the water today.
To whet your appetite, here is a photo taken by Mark Simkins from late last year. Randy Jones got a 10.5 inch Abalone. So that's why he looks so happy!
Please be safe and give the Pacific Ocean the deference she is owed. To read Jack Likins important article on why divers die in their search for red treasure, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2013/05/21/why-abalone-divers-die-in-their-hunt-for-red-treasure/
Thanks to Mark and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig Tooley's nature photographs, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com