Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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This is a fun bird to see as it looks like it is having a bad hair day! Belted Kingfishers, Megaceryle alcyon, are seen on the Mendonoma Coast more often in the wintertime. Craig Tooley recently photographed one, this one a female.

You can tell this is a female because she has two breast bands, one gray near her neck and a brownish one further down. Belted Kingfisher females are more brightly colored than their male counterparts - something rather unusual in the birding world.

Kingfishers mostly eat fish and they fish by either plunging directly from their perch or by hovering over the water. They breed far to our north.

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

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo of this fascinating bird. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Rick and I are fortunate to have trails weaving their way into a mixed forest. Huckleberry, our golden retriever, demands two walks a day, rain or shine. So we hike the forest every day. It's wonderful to see the light slanting through the trees.

Craig Tooley recently captured a beautiful photo that speaks to the serenity and beauty of a forest.

I'd certainly take this path...would you?

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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That's what Craig Tooley theorizes! Craig photographed this American Kestrel in a unique pose.

This small falcon eats insects, snatching them out of the air. Am. Kestrels are year round residents on the Mendonoma Coast.

To hear the call of this bird, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_kestrel/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: ruffimage.com

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Big beautiful waves are crashing against the shore. Craig Tooley was out this morning and photographed the fury.

Craig noticed this Great Blue Heron on top of a tree, watching the waves come in.

Today is a good day to give the Pacific Ocean her due. Never turn your back on the ocean, as we have sleeper waves that can catch people unawares. Also the bluffs crumble so you don't want to stand close to the edge when big waves hit the coast. Just stay back a ways and enjoy the majesty of the Pacific Ocean.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Craig Tooley caught this magnificent photo of the Dec. 16th sunset.

The beach, rocks, surf and the sunset just beginning, this photo has it all.

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