Tag Archives: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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Snowy Plovers are always a treat to see. Craig Tooley recently photographed one near a piece of kelp.

Snowy Plovers are small plovers who inhabit sandy beaches and bare ground. They are most often seen at Manchester State Beach, where they nest in the sand. Their numbers are declining so we do all we can to protect them. Since they are so exposed, leashing your dog during breeding season is a must. One of their calls is a whistle sound which you can listen to at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Plover/sounds

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

We are having a stormy day today. This morning we were graced with rainbows, the first we've seen in months. We've had a few good downpours of blessed rain. We hope it's the beginning of much more wet stuff!

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Black Phoebes are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Craig Tooley recently photographed one perched on a branch.

I had one perch on the railing of our deck recently, giving its distinctive chirp. You can listen to its calls here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Phoebe/sounds

Black Phoebes are flycatchers, so you shouldn't be surprised that they eat insects that they catch in the air. Here's a fun fact from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website:

"The male Black Phoebe gives the female a tour of potential nest sites, hovering in front of each likely spot for 5 to 10 seconds. But it’s the female who makes the final decision and does all the nest construction."

Of course it's the female who makes the final decision!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, including his Pics O Joy during the pandemic, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Another sparkling, spectacular day today. Cold, windy and even wet weather is predicted beginning Friday. Bring it on, Mother Nature!

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Richard Zweig noticed this young Peregrine Falcon, apparently looking directly at him!

It almost looks like the young falcon posed for Richard. Peregrine Falcons are powerful birds and, boy, can they fly fast. They prey on medium-sized birds. Peregrines have a piercing call which you can hear at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/sounds

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

oh, such a beautiful autumn day we are having, with crystal clear skies and a gentle breeze. The Pacific Ocean was crashing this morning!

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It's a treat to see a White-tailed Kite hovering in the air as she searches for a tasty rodent. Allen Vinson recently photographed a beautiful kite against an oh-so-blue sky.

These small raptors are year-round residents of the West Coast. Look for them in grassy meadows. I've seen them at Gualala Point Regional Park, a great place to see wildlife.

The calls of White-tailed Kites are rather soft. You can listen to them at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Allen's nature photography, here is the link: http://allenvinson.smugmug.com/

It's another sunny, warm, breezy day on the Mendonoma Coast today!

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If I'm allowed to have favorites, White-tailed Kites are some of my favorite birds. Jennifer Massey photographed one hovering in air, getting ready to nab his dinner.

These kites hunt small mammals, and they can be seen hovering over grassy meadows.

During non-breeding season, White-tailed Kites are known to roost together in groups of up to a hundred or so birds. To hear their quiet, whistle-like calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

Thanks to Jennifer for allowing me to share her photos with you here. In her photos, the sky is oh-so-blue. Not so today as cool fog  moved in.

Spring doesn't know...