Birders think this could be an irruption year for Red Crossbills, when these finches wander into areas they aren't usually seen. They follow their food source, which is seeds found in cones from pines, Douglas firs, hemlocks and spruce trees. Just look at their beaks, specially made to open cones. Nicholas Pinette recently photographed a male.

The females are yellow, and Nicholas was kind enough to send a photo of one in for comparison to the male.

Thanks to Nicholas for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

After yesterday's rain, it's turned cold! Well, cold for the Mendonoma coast. Clouds are zipping by and the ocean swells have been big. No rain predicted for the next couple of days.