We get spoiled in the autumn here on the Mendonoma Coast. The weather can be magnificent. That is what is happening now. Craig Tooley recently photographed this beautiful scene.
As I write this, the sky is clear. Waves are crashing and the Sea Lions on Fish Rocks are barking. Autumn on the Coast is like a dream come true.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's photography, here is his website: ruffimage.com
Pileated Woodpeckers are big, as big as a crow. They can be 16.5 inches long with a wingspan of 29 inches. I more often hear these prehistoric-looking birds than see them. One was recently feeding on the ground and Craig Tooley got this photo.
Their favorite food is carpenter ants. But termites are swarming and I'm wondering if that might be what this big bird had found in the ground.
Here is a photo of a female that Craig got another time. Note the lack of red by her beak.
I always feel fortunate when I see a Pileated. Along with hearing their calls, I hear them drumming on snags. They are also unique in that they create rectangular holes while searching for ants.
To hear the calls of a Pileated Woodpecker, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/pileated_woodpecker/sounds.
To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: ruffimage.com.
And thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his beautiful photos with you here.
Craig Tooley was out early with his camera. Sunrises on the Coast can be magnificent.
You can see the big fog bank out over the Pacific Ocean. It's keeping our temperatures nice and mild.
There is a touch of autumn in the air. Autumn can bring us beautiful clouds as storms to our north slowly begin tracking south. Beautiful clouds like these that were also taken by Craig.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: ruffimage.com
It's been foggy on the Coast, that's for sure, though the fog is due to depart thanks to a high pressure system moving in today. I hope so because I would love to see the Perseids Meteor shower, which peaks tonight.
Craig Tooley got this beautiful aerial view of the Mendonoma Coast on Saturday afternoon. You can see the fingers of fog creeping up several canyons. And the Pacific Ocean is pretty much covered up by the white stuff.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's photography, here's his website: www.ruffimage.com
Rozann Grunig saw this Anna's Hummingbird feeding on Watsonia and captured this beautiful photo.
Anna's Hummingbirds are only found on the Pacific Coast. They are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They weigh no more than a nickle.
When the sun hits the throat of a male Anna's, the beautiful iridescent reddish feathers are revealed. Craig Tooley's photo shows this.
Thanks to Rozann and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com