Tag Archives: Michael Reinhart

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Lots of birds use dead trees. We see the Gualala Bald Eagle pair often perched in a snag just north of the mouth of the Gualala River. Acorn Woodpeckers use snags to drill their holes, which they then proceed to stuff with acorns, creating a granary tree. Michael Reinhart found this dead tree providing nesting cavities for several birds, including Pygmy Nuthatches. He also found Violet-green Swallows bringing insects to their chicks.

The moral of the story is, if you have a dead tree on your property and it isn't a hazard, consider leaving it up for the birds.

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

We woke up to drippy fog this morning, and temps are in the high 50's. Years ago a good friend, Linda Brodie, told me to "embrace your inner fog," a fun way of being able to enjoy the fog we get this time of year. The moisture it brings is very welcome and I'm embracing my inner fog today!

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Michael Reinhart spotted this young Buck, a Black-tailed Deer, looking at him. It sure looks like the Buck is smiling!

Thanks to Mike for his fun photo and for allowing me to share it here with you.

We had clouds this morning, but they have disappeared, leaving behind sunny skies with strong breezes. And it's a chilly breeze! Wildflowers are amazing now. But watch out for ticks. A friend told me she picked eight of them off of her after a walk through grasses at Manchester State Park this morning. And I found one on me after a hike today. Yikes!

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This photograph exudes bliss! Michael Reinhart found a Harbor Seal pup nursing while his/her mother rests with her eyes closed.

It's a peaceful moment that Michael chronicled. Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

This morning we had some serious downpours! There was a good half inch of rain in our gauge when I checked this morning at 7. And it's chilly! It was 41 degrees at dawn with a breeze. Dark and white clouds seem to chasing each other across the sky this afternoon. A shower could happen any time but between showers we are having brilliant sunshine. A wait-five-minutes kind of day.

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Michael Reinhart wrote, “I looked out the window and saw a VERY large bird circling low over the water – an immature Bald Eagle. While grabbing my camera, I noticed that there was a gull on the water under the eagle. The eagle attacked, picking up the gull, and flew off adjusting its prey in its talons.

Another gull [a Western Gull] made a few dives at the eagle, but the eagle kept going and disappeared around the cliff.”

Mike caught sight of the juvenile Bald Eagle on a bluff where he/she presumably finished off his or her meal.

It is heartening to see the recovery of Bald Eagles. As their numbers increased, they began expanding their territory northward along the coast. First we saw a pair in Jenner, and then two years later, the Gualala Bald Eagles arrived. Could this young one be last year's offspring of the Gualala pair? Maybe!

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

It's sunny and breezy today, and achingly beautiful!

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Michael Reinhart noticed this Common Loon with something tasty, perhaps a mollusk.

Theses birds are excellent swimmers and they can fly fast too, up to 70 MPH when migrating. They have such incredible calls which you can listen to at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/sounds Click on the second recording to hear the ethereal call. wow...

Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Sunday/Monday's rain total was 1.15 inches, a nice soaking for the wildflowers and other plants! I swear I can hear the wildflowers singing today. It's breezy today, with a big fog bank over the ocean, clouds overhead mixed with brilliant sunshine. Something for nearly everyone!