Tag Archives: ducks

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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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It's quite a sighting to see two Banana Slugs forming the symbol of yin-yang. Craig Tooley photographed just that.

Yin Yang Banana Slugs by Craig Tooley

The two Banana Slugs are actually preparing to mate. I was asked recently, who eats them? Garter snakes eat them, for one example. Raccoons eat them as do Ducks, Geese and Salamanders. Rick and I see them every day in our forest - tiny ones, skinny ones, fat ones. This spring they seem to be very abundant.

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: www.ruffimage.com.