Zak Rudy has been fortunate to observe a pair of Peregrine Falcons mate and nest near Timber Cove over the past several years. Zak has seen the male, who he says is waiting for his mate to arrive. The sun was shining brightly on the chest feathers of the world's fastest animal.
Here's another photo Zak took a week or so earlier when the skies were cloudy.
Thanks to Zak for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Eric Zetterholm is an amateur photographer, but you'd never know it by this photo. It's a male Northern Harrier.
They have an owl-like face that allows them to hear mice and voles in the meadows below them. These slim hawks holds their wings in a V shape in air. Their call is a high-pitched "kek, kek." You can hear it for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/sounds
Here is a great photo of a juvenile Northern Harrier, taken by Robert Scarola.
Thanks to Eric and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Sharon Beals was hiking on the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands recently when she noticed this male Red Crossbill in a pine tree. This bird's unique bills allows it to spread apart a pine cone and retrieve a nut.
He was successful.
And then the crossbill took a good look at the photographer!
Sharon Beals is the author of "Nests: Fifty Nests and the Birds that built them." You can learn more about this beautiful book at her website: http://www.sharonbeals.com/
Thanks to Sharon for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Jeff and Pearl Watts put up a beautiful bird house, and they were rewarded when a pair of Violet-green swallows built a nest inside. Jeff photographed two chicks peeking out through the opening.
Here's a photo Linda Bostwick took of a male, with a feather in its beak.
Thanks to Jeff and Linda for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Roland Coombs noticed three ducks swimming on one of the ponds at The Sea Ranch golf course. They were beautiful Buffleheads, perfectly reflected in the water.
These ducks overwinter here on the Mendonoma Coast. They quickly dive underwater for tasty invertebrates. They nest far to our north. I find it interesting that they nest in old woodpecker holes, especially those created by Northern Flickers.
To hear their call, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bufflehead/sounds
Thanks to Roland for allowing me to share his photo with you here.