Carolyn Andre got this beautiful photo of a Great Blue Heron as it was just lifting off - so lovely to see.
And Michael Reinhart photographed this GBH basking in the sun.
These herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.
Thanks to Carolyn and Mike for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
It's been sunny and it's been foggy, with temps on the cool side. Late this afternoon, as I write this, the fog has moved back out over the ocean.
Bill Budge found this Great Blue Heron reflected in the water.
Aren't these beautiful photos?
I went to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website to see exactly what these herons eat. They wrote, "Great Blue Herons eat nearly anything within striking distance, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and other birds. They grab smaller prey in their strong mandibles or use their dagger-like bills to impale larger fish, often shaking them to break or relax the sharp spines before gulping them down."
Their calls sound like "awk!" You can listen for yourself at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/sounds
Thanks to Bill for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Loch Michie was out photographing near the Point Arena Lighthouse when he saw this Great Blue Heron on the bluffs.
They are so beautiful! They are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.
To hear their rather unlovely calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/sounds
Thanks to Loch for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Today is simply amazing - hot on the ridge, perfect on the bluffs. A walk at Gualala Point Regional Park mid-morning with a visiting friend was wonderful!
Carol Escajeda had a great flyover by a large blue and gray bird. She wrote, “I was in the backyard when I spotted a large bird flying downhill towards me. I quickly snapped a photo with my iPhone before it landed in a pine tree next to me. It’s my ‘totally lucky Great Blue Heron photo!’”
Lucky us that we get to see it too.
Thanks to Carol for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
It was sunny and warm this morning...and then...and then...the fog appeared as if by magic!
Adrian Adams noticed this live Great Blue Heron standing on a roof at The Sea Ranch. But a metal GBH weather vane would be pretty nice!
Great Blue Herons will occasionally get on a roof to search for prey and/or for protection from predators.
Thanks to Adrian for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
It was quite cold (for us here on the coast - I know it's very, very cold in other parts) this morning, 37 degrees. But it's sunny and calm this afternoon. We've gone three weeks without any rain as of today. Rain is in the forecast for later next week. Hope so!