Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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Craig Tooley was thinking of fairies when he photographed a mushroom that looked like a tiny parasol. He wrote, “Undoubtedly you recognize this Fair-a-sol mushroom. Used by fairies and other magical forest creatures to accessorize for gatherings or just to keep the harsh sun off.  I know that they are not often seen but it is getting close to New Year's, and you know how those fairies love the New Year’s celebrations.”

We think this mushroom is in the amanita family. It is lovely how the edges have formed little "curtains." Fairies must certainly use mushrooms like this!

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

Some overhead clouds  today which should make for a beautiful sunset. A little warmer today, which is nice! No rain predicted through the weekend.

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Rozanne Rapozo caught this American Kestrel just as it landed. It's fun to see its wing feathers and tail feathers extended. Kestrels use their long tails for balance.

Craig Tooley found this Kestrel staring down a Northern Flicker.

Kestrels are North America's smallest falcon. They eat insects and other small prey. They have an unusual call, rather excited notes, and you can hear it here at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

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

It's been cold here, it was 37 degrees this morning. As we take a break from the rains, passing clouds bring beauty to sunrises and sunsets. There is little wind and the ocean is calm. In other words, an exquisite, lovely day here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Black Phoebes are insect eaters so this flycatcher Michele Melio photographed might be on the lookout for a passing bug.

Black Phoebes make their nests out of mud so they need to be close to a water source. Those who reside year round here have the Pacific Ocean, a handful of rivers, and many seasonal creeks for their needs. They have a whistling call that you can hear at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Phoebe/sounds

Here is a closeup of a Black Phoebe, this one taken by Craig Tooley.

Thanks to Michele and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's a cool, sunny day. Fog covered the Pacific Ocean for a while and there are some clouds passing by. Dry weather is predicted through the weekend, with rain the first of the week.

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Autumn is the time of year that female Dragonflies and Damselflies lay their eggs, usually on aquatic plants or directly on still water. The eggs will hatch in a few days to a few weeks, and the nymphs will begin the underwater portion of their life cycle. Craig Tooley witnessed something different. Craig wrote, “This Dragonfly seem to be laying eggs in this log. It would fly and then bend the tail down just like the ones that were laying eggs in the water. I'm not sure what kind of dragonfly this is. Something interesting last night - I thought the bogeyman was scratching at the window and it turned out it was a Dragonfly attracted by the light of the TV. He particularly seem to like the TV more than just having the lights on in the room. I experimented a little bit and the TV light seem to be what was drawing it in.”

I sent Craig’s photo and sighting to Kathy Biggs, author of “Common Dragonflies of California,” asking if she had seen this before. She wrote back, “Oh yes! This is very common behavior for a Shadow Darner (Aeshna umbrosa) female, and Variable Darner (A. interrupta) females do it too. They use wet wood in the fall. The assumption is that the water level will eventually rise and the wood is a safe place for the egg. Only one egg laid per placement. Interesting about the TV light. I know that sleeping dragonflies sometimes get woken up at night by nearby lights.... but a TV! Wow!!”

Interesting! Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo and to Kathy for her expertise. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

You can get Kathy's great reference booklet at the Four-Eyed Frog Bookstore - https://www.foureyedfrog.com/

ooo, it's raining and there is already over .60 inches in my gauge.

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Craig Tooley recently photographed a Downy Woodpecker.

Karen Wilkinson also spotted one.

These woodpeckers eat insects. In Karen's photos it looks like the bird is looking for tasty bugs in a snag. Downy Woodpeckers joins flocks of chickadees and nuthatches, barely outsizing them - that's small!

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

A spectacularly clear day with no wind...consequently the temps soared. It reached 80 degrees at my place in Anchor Bay. Last night, with the clear horizon, there was a green flash at sunset. Hooray!