Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Craig Tooley was out with his camera when he spotted this beautiful Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus, just lifting off the ground. She's magnificent!

This Hawk is a year round resident here on the Mendonoma Coast. Northern Harriers use their ears as well as their sight to spot prey. They fly low over the ground looking for small mammals such as mice. They also eat frogs and small birds. To hear the call of this hawk, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/sounds

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his wonderful photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's photography, here's the link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/

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This wildflower has a horrible name - Fetid Adder's Tongue. It refers to its ill-smelling flower. Scoliopus bigelovii is the Latin name for this orchid-like flower. It blooms in the winter and few are fortunate enough to see it. Craig Tooley recently photographed one. You can see the first bloom is over but the second one is up. The leaves will grow in the weeks and months to come, becoming nearly a foot long is some cases.

I love this first wildflower of the year. It's not more than two inches tall, if that. If you find the distinctive leaves but see no flowers, note the spot. Then next winter you can find the flower in January or February.

I noticed the first Trilliums up, along with Milkmaids - they are early signs that spring is not too far away.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's Coast photography, here is the link: http://ruffimage.com/

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Well, these aren't exactly spiders. They are arachnids called Harvestmen. They are also called Daddy Longlegs. Craig Tooley photographed a group of them, which is called a snarl.

 I wonder just how many Harvestment are in this snarl. Dozens, yes. Hundreds, perhaps!

Here's what Craig Tooley wrote, “My neighbors, John Holloway and Elaine Reed, asked me to come over and take a few pictures of this interesting collection of arachnids or Harvestmen. When I asked John what he knew about them, he said, ‘There are many species of them around the world, with fossils of them going back 400 million years. They are called Daddy Longlegs, though they are not a true spider.’”

These arachnids are very beneficial, eating many other insects including termites. They only have two eyes, as compared to spiders that have six or eight. They are entirely harmless to humans. John and Elaine’s visitors have formed this snarl for the same reason Sea Lions raft together – for protection against predators, and perhaps for warmth.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his interesting photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's wildlife photography, here's the link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/

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Conditions were perfect for a green flash at sunset Monday, Jan. 14th. Craig Tooley set up his camera and look what he got.

Beautiful! The sunsets the past several nights have been shades of orange. And when you can add the elusive green flash, you have to say that life is good.

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: http://ruffimage.com/

To see another photo of the green flash, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/04/28/the-green-flash-its-not-a-myth/

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Male California Sea Lions are migrating now. In recent months the males have been hanging around the females on Fish Rocks, which is just off Anchor Bay, and a few other locations. Now the males are leaving, some going only as far as The Sea Ranch. Craig Tooley photographed a magnificent male with a Common Raven looking over its shoulder.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's Coastal photography, here's the link: http://ruffimage.com/