Tag Archives: Ron Bolander

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It's unusual to see two adult Bobcats together but this is spring, and love is in the air. Ron Bolander was in his car when these two cats with the tufted ears crossed in front of him.

Ron said they were near Stoneboro Road.

Here is a photo Ron took some time ago of a Bobcat sitting in the sun. Bobcats are said to be nocturnal but they are regularly seen in the daylight hours here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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

It's lightly raining here today and there is no wind. We are supposed to go into drier and warmer weather next week. I think we can all agree that we're ready for that!

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Ron Bolander was at the right place - right outside his home - when he spotted this Hermit Thrush. And the little thrush was headed straight for a ripe berry with his or her beak wide open.

What great timing by Ron to catch this Hermit Thrush stepping forward for a meal!

Hermit Thrushes have a beautiful song. I always listen for the first trills early in the morning as we get closer to spring. You can hear the song at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_Thrush/sounds

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

It rained hard Sunday morning but it cleared up for the afternoon. It was then sunny and cool. Clouds began piling in in the late afternoon as more rain is headed our way!

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I love Cedar Waxwings but I don't see them very often. Ron Bolander recently photographed one of these beauties.

Ron also found a White-tailed Kite resting on branches. Nice!

And a female American Kestrel in flight.

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

The weather is sunny and mild today. The Pacific Ocean has calmed down after all the storms. Last night a friend and I witnessed a green flash at sunset. These dry days are so welcome after all the rain. Crews are working along Highway One today, clearing downed trees that were pushed to the side of the highway. Lots of heroes here on the Mendonoma Coast!

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Ron Bolander found these interesting-looking ducks in the lagoon of the Gualala River several weeks ago. Bird experts identified the bird on the left as a Northern Shoveler, the one in the middle as a probably Northern Shoveler, and the bird on the right as a Northern Pintail. Yes, birding is NOT for sissies!

Northern Shovelers have that distinctive spoon-shaped bill. They are dabbling ducks and we see the non-breeders here. Their bills have comb-like projections that filter out small crustaceans and seeds in the water for their meals.

Northern Pintails are ducks with long, elegant necks. Once again, we see the non-breeders here.

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

Sunny and chilly - well, chilly for Northern California on the coast! In the 50's today and early this morning it was 41 degrees. Brrr!

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Several coast photographers have photographed Belted Kingfishers lately. Eric Zetterholm caught one just taking flight.

Here Ron Bolander photographs one flying.

And Craig Tooley found one resting on a branch.

Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has to say about these birds:

"With its top-heavy physique, energetic flight, and piercing rattle, the Belted Kingfisher seems to have an air of self-importance as it patrols up and down rivers and shorelines. It nests in burrows along earthen banks and feeds almost entirely on aquatic prey, diving to catch fish and crayfish with its heavy, straight bill. These ragged-crested birds are a powdery blue-gray; males have one blue band across the white breast, while females have a blue and a chestnut band."

So Craig's photo shows a female, as does Eric.

Here is a link to their rattling calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/sounds

Thanks to Eric, Ron and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The rain is over though everything is nice and damp from the deluge. Sunny skies have returned. I checked the lagoon of the Gualala River yesterday and it has filled up from the rain - nice!