Tag Archives: Grace O’Malley

•

Grace O'Malley captured this charming sight, an Allen's Hummingbird with yellow pollen on her beak.

Grace O’Malley wrote, “I learned something fun in the Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior – ‘Each flower species deposits pollen in a specific place on a Hummingbird’s head to increase the chance that birds visiting the same species of flower will cross-pollinate the flowers.’ In the case of this little hummer, our Mexican Sage deposited yellow pollen on the top of her bill.”

Here are two more photos Grace took of this feisty hummingbird who migrates through the Mendonoma coast in the spring and again in the autumn.

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

We are having a warm, clear day here on the coast. Perfect for whatever nature experiences call to you!

•

Paul Nordstrand found the first reported Calypso Orchid in bloom and Jinx McCombs photographed it.

They are so tiny, I usually spot them by their single leaf, which rests on the forest duff.

Amy Ruegg found one recently too.

Craig Tooley took this super-close-up photo of one, showing its intricate beauty.

And Grace O'Malley was surprised to see a completely white Calypso Orchid blooming amidst the normal colored ones.

Thanks to Jinx, Craig, Amy and Grace for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

•

Grace O'Malley went out during a recent low tide. She found a Giant Green Sea Anemone and Turban Snails.

Sea Anemones are named for the flower anemone.  Sea Anemones are relatives of Coral and Jellyfish. They wait for a fish to come close enough to it tentacles, which contain venom.

Turban Snails are found in the intertidal zone. Their empty shells are often used by Hermit Crabs.

Thanks to Grace for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

•

Brown pelicans continue to be seen heading north, while other birds have begun their southward migration. Grace O'Malley photographed a long string of Brown pelicans on a foggy day. You can see the wonderful Benny Bufano statue, which resides at Timber Cove Inn, in the background.

Necklace of Brown pelicans in the fog by Grace O'Malley

Here is a photo by Craig Tooley of an adult Brown pelican and a juvenile. Adults have white heads and dark underparts. Juveniles, born earlier this year to our south, have brown heads and white underparts.

Juvenile and an adult Brown JUL Pelican by Craig Tooley

We have had a very foggy August, and many are looking forward to our usually warm and bright September.

Thanks to Grace and Craig 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: www.ruffimage.com

•

Grace O'Malley recently photographed these two Western gulls flying in tandem in an oh-so-blue sky.

Two Western gulls by Grace O'MalleyWestern gulls are year round residents of the Mendonoma coast. Yesterday I saw Western gull chicks on a rocky island off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. Here's a photo Jan de Vries took of three gull chicks, one hopping in the air, testing its wings, and two on the ground.

Western Gull chicks by Jan de VriesIt's a beautiful day here on the coast, as the fog backed way off and sunshine reigns.

Thanks to Grace and Jan for allowing me to share their photos with you here.