Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They hunt for a variety of food, including fish and small rodents. Rob Diefenbach recently photographed one on the hunt for a tasty rodent.
And here is a photo by Rozann Grunig of a Great Blue Heron fishing.
Thanks to Rob and Rozann for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
I'll let Massomeh Roberts tell the story:
“I saw a large Great Blue Heron on the bluff overlooking Black Point Beach. It was moving very slowly, focused on the ground. All of a sudden its head was down into the ground, and it came up with a Vole! I had my camera ready, and snapped the shot as the bird was getting ready to take off.”
Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They are a treat to see. When they fly, their neck is an aerodynamic "S" shape. Marianne Rittenhouse photographed this.
This "S" shape also allows them to strike at prey very quickly.
Here is one of my favorite Great Blue Heron photos, taken by Paul Brewer. It is titled "And we have liftoff!"
Thanks to Massomeh, Marianne, and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
As I mentioned yesterday, the sandbar has once again closed the Gualala River off to the Pacific Ocean. This creates ideal kayaking conditions. Karen Tracy recently took to the water and she saw many beautiful sightings.
It looks idyllic, doesn't it?! As Karen meandered up the river, she came across at Great Blue Heron perched on a branch.
And a Western Pond Turtle sunning itself on a log - a wonderful sighting!
Thanks to Karen for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
During the recent high tides, Rozann Grunig went to the Gualala Bluff Trail to photograph the big surf. She found this Great Blue Heron seemingly watching the surf. It took flight and Rozann got this photo.
She also got this dramatic photo of the King Tides washing over the sandbar of the Gualala River.
Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To see more of Rozann's photography, here is her website: http://highway1designs.com/
Big beautiful waves are crashing against the shore. Craig Tooley was out this morning and photographed the fury.
Craig noticed this Great Blue Heron on top of a tree, watching the waves come in.
Today is a good day to give the Pacific Ocean her due. Never turn your back on the ocean, as we have sleeper waves that can catch people unawares. Also the bluffs crumble so you don't want to stand close to the edge when big waves hit the coast. Just stay back a ways and enjoy the majesty of the Pacific Ocean.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com