Tag Archives: Dard Hunter

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Mary and Dard Hunter had a Chestnut-backed Chickadee nest in their birdhouse. Can you see the chick peeking out the hole?

Mary took this photo, headed into town to do a few errands, and by the time she returned, her husband, Dard, told her the chicks had fledged!

Here's a close-up of one of these beautiful, little birds, taken by Dorise Ford. It's unusual for a chickadee to be at a seed feeder, as they are insect eaters. Maybe this chickadee was just resting!

Here is a map showing their range.

image of range map for Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Rick and I also had a family of these chickadees this year in a birdhouse we had attached to a tree. Now we are hearing the fledglings in the trees. They travel in fairly large groups, sometimes accompanied by Pygmy Nuthatches. I love their chirping calls, one of which is "chick-a-dee-dee."

Thanks to Mary and Dorise for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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River Otters have been spotted at the Gualala River mouth. They are also found in other creeks and rivers on the Mendonoma coast. Gail Jackson photographed two River Otters looking at her. I wonder what the otters are thinking!

Here is a close up of a River Otter, taken by Dard Hunter, eating an octopus.

A year ago I watched one emerge from the Garcia River and proceed to roll in the sand.

The otter rolled with gusto for several minutes, and then was done.

River Otters can't abide pollution, so it's a testament to the clean waterways here on the coast.

Thanks to Gail and Dard for allowing me to share their photos with you here. Warm weather forecast for the weekend!