Tag Archives: John Batchelder

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A beautiful hummingbird was seen on October 2 and 3 at The Sea Ranch. John Batchelder’s daughter, Marianne, was the first to see it and identify it.

BBIH @TSR 100220

Diane Hichwa wrote, “There is a rare bird staying for a few days at Sea Ranch - a Broad-billed Hummingbird. It has been seen on two other occasions in Sonoma County.  It SHOULD be in Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico, but not here. But it is.”

Several other photographers got wonderful photos of the colorful hummer, including Craig Tooley.  Craig wrote, “It is spectacular. Also, it makes a very different sound than our local Hummers.” Here is a link to hear their calls, which are quite different! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird/sounds

Karen Wilkinson also photographed the beautiful hummingbird.

Why this little bird was so far from its normal territory is a puzzle, but we know how to appreciate beauty when we see it. Welcome to the Mendonoma Coast, little hummer!

Thanks to John, Craig and Karen for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are having a oh-so-lovely autumn day today. Perhaps a little rain tomorrow, please rain gods and goddesses!

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It's comforting to witness the normalcy of Nature. In late spring, the male Black-tailed Deer begin sprouting new antlers. They are covered in velvet, a membrane that nourished the growing antlers. Cherle Clark had this handsome fellow pay her a visit recently.

Fawns continue to be born. John Batchelder photographed a newborn that was still wet! So very cute.

Thanks to Cheryl and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Wow, we had a lightning and thunderstorm overnight! Lightning on the Northern California coast doesn't happen very often. We received a little rain too - .16 of an inch at our place in Anchor Bay. Not much, but always welcome.

Spring doesn't know...

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Any day you see dolphins is a good day, right? Mike Reinhart saw them first, off the southern end of The Sea Ranch. As the pod of Risso's Dolphins, Grampus griseus, swam northward, John Batchelder got photos of them.

 

Here are two close-ups of Risso's Dolphins taken by Ron LeValley some years ago.

They are also called Gray Dolphins and they travel in large pods. They can dive at least 1,000 feet and can hold their breath for thirty minutes.

Thanks to John and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. John will have another photo he took in this week's Independent Coast Observe to go with my Mendonoma Sightings column. The ICO has print and on-line subscriptions. Why don't you join in the fun? http://www.mendonoma.com/

To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

We are having a showery day today. My best to you as we realize Spring doesn't know.

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I love these beautiful birds. White-tailed Kites are a joy to see. John Batchelder recently photographed an adult hovering in the air, listening for its prey in the meadow below. Watch out, Voles!

Steve Stewart got this great close up of a juvenile White-tailed Kite resting on a branch.

Their calls are a quiet chirp. You can listen for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

Thanks to John and Steve for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are having a lovely autumn day on the coast today. Cool and calm, just the way we like it!

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Humpbacks have been seen off our portion of the coast, always a treat. John Batchelder photographed this Humpback off the coast of The Sea Ranch. Just look at all those Brown Pelicans flying by.

Here are a few photos of Humpback Whales that John took last year - a tail, a breach and a flipper.

Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Today it is HOT on the Mendonoma coast! Have I ever mentioned I'm not a fan of  hot weather? Bring back our ocean breezes! Oddly enough, but most welcome, we have rain in our forecast for Monday. Rain would be such a blessing.