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American Kestrels are the smallest of falcons. They hunt for insects and other small prey in open spaces, perching on wires or poles. They face into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place.

Ben Angwin found one overhead, soaring, at Gualala Point Regional Park.

Mel Smith found a female taking a bath in the birdbath at his place in Point Arena.

Kestrels are declining in parts of their range; you can help them by putting up nest boxes.

To hear the call of this falcon, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds You can also learn how to make a nesting box for these beauties at this link: https://nestwatch.org/?s=American+kestrel

Thanks to Ben and Mel for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It was a mostly cloudy day as rain is due in tonight. Tomorrow, Tuesday, should be rainy!

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Craig Tooley was out photographing at the Gualala River when he saw this North American River Otter and a Great Egret looking at each other. Peace on Earth moment?

Craig and I would love to see your captions for this photo!

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

It's a nice autumn day here on the Mendonoma Coast with some overhead clouds, a breeze with the temps in the mid 60's.

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Warm weather moved in last week chasing away any fog on the horizon, and on three consecutive days there was a green flash at sunset. Kate Bloch captured a green flash for you to see.

On the next night, she caught multiple green flashes - an amazing sight!

It's said to be lucky if you see a green flash. I'm sure that applies to viewing them here too!

Thanks to Kate for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

The warm weather is gone, and cooler temps have arrived. We had a small rainstorm a few days ago that brought us 0.27 inches. Everything is nice and moist - the forest smells like heaven.

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Bill Budge was in the right place with his camera and he got this Humpback Whale breaching.

The power of this big whale hurling itself out of the ocean is amazing to see!

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

Very warm here again today, but it's supposed to be much cooler tomorrow. Maybe some wet stuff next week!

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We get some fabulous cloud displays in autumn here on the Mendonoma Coast. Eric Zetterholm recently photographed an interesting sunset.

Yes, I can see a city - this is could almost be a Fata Morgana mirage, but they are usually just above the horizon or floating on the horizon. Whatever this is, it is beautiful and intriguing!

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

It was very cool overnight but today turning into a lovely warm and sunny day with no wind. Hooray for Autumn!