Tag Archives: in flight

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Betsy Anderson photographed a graceful Great Blue Heron at the moment he/she lifted off, a glorious sight indeed. Just look at those big wings!

Great Blue Herons can be seen fishing with their beaks. They also hunt rodents, such as gophers, in grassy meadows. In flight, these herons tuck in their necks, and their legs trail behind. Sara Bogard photographed one in flight for us to see.

Thanks to Betsy and Sara for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Fog has cooled off the immediate coast, though I'm in sun here in Anchor Bay. It's a pretty Spring day on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Long-billed Curlews are shorebirds with a very long, curved bill. I think they are quite elegant. We occasionally see non-breeders on the Mendonoma. Craig Tooley photographed a juvenile in flight today - his Pic O Joy. Just look at that beak!

Long-billed Curlews are North American's largest shorebird.

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: http://www.ruffimage.com

Fog on the coast, sunny just a bit off the coast. Must be August or as some locals call it, Fogust!

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Richard Custer was enjoying the fine weather we had last week. Here's his photo of an Osprey.

Perhaps this Osprey has spotted a fish in the ocean and is ready to dive for it.

The Osprey nest we watch through a spotting scope in Anchor Bay has two chicks in it. They are getting bigger with the fish their father brings back to the nest. The mother tears the fish into small bites and then feeds her chicks. The parents are so devoted, it's quite wonderful to observe.

Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Lovely weather today, the air feels as soft as a down pillow.

Spring doesn't know...

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Mel Smith went to see if any of the beautiful white Tundra Swans had returned to the Garcia River area. He first looked at Hunter lagoon off of Biaggi Lane, and then at Brush Creek lagoon but found no Swans. The last big storm had washed away the sand, and drained the wetlands in both places, at least for now.

Mel then went to Hathaway Creek, which is found on the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands and found the fields flooded. There he saw four Tundra Swans, the first of many, we hope.

Here's a photo from a few years ago of two Tundra Swans in flight, taken by Anne Mary Schaefer.

In years past, there have been hundreds of these swans in the floodplains of the Garcia River. We hope more will return to overwinter on the southern Mendocino coast.

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