Tag Archives: Karen Wilkinson

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Karen Wilkinson noticed two Common Ravens and one of them had what she thought might be chewing gum in its beak.

It looks like this raven caught a caterpillar. Ravens are omnivores. I had a recent report of ravens eating candle wax!

Here is a close up of a raven taken by Allen Vinson - quite a beautiful bird.

And here is a comparison of size between a Common Raven and a Bald Eagle, taken by Gail Jackson.

Thanks to Karen, Allen and Gail for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are having the most loveliest day on the Mendonoma coast today. Gentle breeze, warm temps - just about perfect!

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Karen Wilkinson photographed a wildflower that grows only in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties - Fringed Corn Lily, Veratrum fimbriatum.

They are rare and special plants, found near wetlands.

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

Sunny and very breezy today!

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It's fun to see spiderwebs covered in dew or wet fog. Karen Wilkinson recently photographed one.

Craig Tooley photographed one that we used in our book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year.

 

And Peter Cracknell found one too.

Orb-weaver spiders spin the most intricate webs, so perhaps all three of these were created by Orb-weavers. When a spider begins to build her web, she waits for a breeze that sends her from one spot to another. As the breeze moves her, she lays down the first strand. She secures it and then carefully crosses it, laying a second strand. Learning more about the process makes me appreciate spiderwebs. I try to leave them intact and admire them for the amazing creations they are.

Thanks to Karen, Craig and Peter for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Sunny and breezy today!

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Karen Wilkinson found a White-tailed Kite hunting for its meal. She photographed the beautiful bird at the moment he/she spots a rodent.

Success! The kite has its meal while perched on a tree.

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

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We have a group of sub-adult Gray Whales who have stayed along our coast rather than migrating to the Bering Sea. This has been happening for several years now. It's exciting to see and it's heartening to know there is enough feed for them here. Karen Wilkinson recently photographed a young Gray Whale.

You can tell it's a young gray by the stubby head. And, if we had something to compare it with, you'd see the length of the young whale is less than an adult.

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

We had our first rain in nearly six months yesterday and the night before. It felt so wonderful to hear and see it. This morning the damp forest smelled so good. We have another storm predicted for Monday night. Could mushrooms be far behind?!?