Tag Archives: Michael Reinhart

•

Michael Reinhart photographed a skein of Aleutian Cackling Geese heading south.

Here's a close-up photo Mike got recently.

And Jon Shiu got this video, taken off the Mendocino Headlands, where you can hear them cackling away.

Video of Aleutian Cackling Geese flying south by Jon Shiu

Aleutian Cackling Geese can be confused with Canada Geese but they are quite a bit smaller and have shorter necks that the Canadas. I love hearing them. On calm days, I can hear them at Rick's and my place which is a half mile from the ocean. They usually fly over the ocean, but in stormy weather, they can be a bit inland.

Thanks to Mike and Jon for allowing me to share their photos and video.

It's raining here - hooray! It's a nice, gentle rain with no wind. 0.43 inches so far.

•

Michael Reinhart was out photographing nature when he noticed this Harbor Seal surface near some kelp.

The Harbor Seal seems to be looking right at Mike! Harbor Seals are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

Sara Bogard has been studying the Harbor Seals off the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula and adjoining Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. She will be giving a presentation entitled “Seals Beside Us” at the Point Arena Lighthouse, September 21st from 4-5pm. That's this Saturday! Cost is $5.00.

Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photo with  you here!

Very foggy close to the bluffs, but sunny up on the ridge. Cool temps, 60's.

• 4 Comments

•

Michael Reinhart caught this Allen's hummingbird taking a short rest.

Fun Facts: Allen's Hummingbirds live an average of 5 years. They only weigh about 0.11 ounces. Hummingbirds are the only birds known to fly backward.

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

Sunny this morning but the fog rolled in this afternoon. It feels like autumn today, temps in the low 60's.

•

Mike recently photographed a Savannah Sparrow and I love his photo of the sparrow with its head down in a flower, looking as if he/she was taking a sniff. Of course it’s more likely there was an insect or spider in there, but still, it’s fun to imagine.

This distinctive sparrow with a short tail, small head, and telltale yellow streak above the eyes. Savannah Sparrows are one of the most numerous songbirds in North America. In the spring, when the male is trying to attract a female, he sings a three-part song. You can hear it at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Savannah_Sparrow/sounds

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

No fog today, just blue skies! There could be some rain coming in Friday - bring it, Mother Nature!

•

Michael Reinhart photographed a beautiful...or, should I say, handsome...Wilson's Warbler. The black cap is the most prominent giveaway this is a male.

These small warblers nest on the Mendonoma Coast and to our north. They eat insects, usually found on leaves, though they will catch flies and other flying insects in the air. The numbers of these beautiful birds are in "steep decline," mostly due to habitat loss. The experts say the best thing you can do for them is to plant native plants in your garden.

To hear the sweet call of these birds, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Warbler/sounds

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

Dense fog this morning has cleared away to brilliant sunshine. Mild temps. Lots of visitors to the coast now!