Tag Archives: lifting off

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Loch Michie photographed this adult Brown Pelican as it lifted off from the water.

Adult Brown Pelicans have white heads and brown tummies. Brown Pelicans are so graceful when flying, but they can be comically clumsy when coming in for a landing in water.

These prehistoric-looking birds were severely impacted by the pesticide DDT. It got in waterways where fish ingested it. Birds like the Brown Pelicans ate the fish, and the pesticide residue caused their eggshells to thin. When the mother bird stood (yes, Brown Pelicans incubate their eggs with the skin on their feet) on her eggs, they broke. Their numbers went into a steep decline and we almost lost them. DDT was banned, and these beautiful creatures have recovered in the years since. I think a good rule for we humans would be: Do No Harm.

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

Fog over the Pacific Ocean, with warm temps away from the ocean.

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We are having a two-day heatwave here. During the last hot spell, Paul Brewer photographed this Great Blue Heron with its wings in an unusual position. The thinking is this heron was doing this to  help cool him or her off.

I wondered about the two Osprey chicks in the nest I observe through a spotting scope. Today I saw the mother Osprey with her wings spread out, shading her offspring.What a great mother she is!

Water is very important to wildlife and putting in a birdbath can bring a plethora of smiles. Putting out a simple saucer of water will do the same.

Here's a fun photo taken some years ago by Robert Scarola of a Great Blue Heron lifting off.

Thanks to Paul and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

No clouds, no fog, and a gentle breeze - time to head for the beach!

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Great Blue Herons are year-round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They are particularly graceful when they liftoff for flight. Paul Brewer caught magic the other day. Paul's photo looks like a painting.

 And below a Great Blue Heron has caught an eel. I love the way the bird is reflected in the water.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, here's the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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Craig Tooley was out with his camera when he spotted this beautiful Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus, just lifting off the ground. She's magnificent!

This Hawk is a year round resident here on the Mendonoma Coast. Northern Harriers use their ears as well as their sight to spot prey. They fly low over the ground looking for small mammals such as mice. They also eat frogs and small birds. To hear the call of this hawk, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/sounds

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his wonderful photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's photography, here's the link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/