Tag Archives: Perry Hoffman

•

Perry Hoffman found Red-breasted Sapsuckers at the Gualala River.

They are striking birds. Sapsuckers got their name because they drill rows of shallow indentations, called sapwells, in shrubs and trees. When these indentations fill with sap, the woodpecker laps it up with its tongue. Sapsuckers have an important part to play in Nature, because many insects, birds, and mammals use the sapwells for nourishment.

Red-breasted Sapsuckers have quite a few calls. You can listen to them at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-breasted_Sapsucker/sounds They also can be heard drumming with their large and sturdy beak.

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Perry's nature photography, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/

The weather is sublime now - temps in the mid 70s and a gently breeze. Come to the coast!

•

Perry Hoffman wrote, “I caught this American Goldfinch eating thistle today at Mill Bend.”

American Goldfinches breed later than most birds, waiting to nest until June or July when milkweed, thistle, and other plants have produced their fibrous seeds, which they weave into their nests, and also feed their young.

Fun Fact: American Goldfinches are considered some of the strictest vegetarians in the bird world. They may swallow the occasional insect but it’s apparently inadvertent.

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Perry's nature photography, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/

Fog out over the ocean, and perhaps the immediate coast in places, mid-70's and sunny at my place in Anchor Bay.

•

Males approach female North American River Otters now for mating. As you can see in Perry Hoffman's photo, the male holds the female's snout in his mouth. Ouch!

More not-so-loving courtship behavior.

It can be painful for the female, and maybe that is why once mating is done she has nothing to do with the male and he is persona non grata. If you see a family of River Otters, it is the mother with her offspring.

River Otters cannot abide pollution so that fact they are thriving here on the Mendonoma Coast is a testament to the clean waters of our rivers and streams.

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photos with you here. He has a photography opening at the White Cap in Anchor Bay on May 19th from 3 to 6 pm. to see much more of Perry's photography, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/

It's lightly raining this afternoon. The wildflowers are glorious now, so when the rain relents, the Mendonoma Coast will be a feast for the eyes!

• 2 Comments

•

Perry Hoffman slowly approached the resting Harbor Seals, who were lounging on the sandbar on a sunny day. Don't they look happy and contented?

A Common Raven appeared, perhaps looking for remnants of the Harbor Seals' meal. The Harbor Seals didn't seem to mind.

Lastly, Perry saw a beautiful rainbow on New Year's Eve.

Now that's a nice sighting for the last day of the year.

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Perry's nature photography, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/

A big storm is hitting the Mendonoma Coast now. With the first wave, in the wee hours of Wednesday, we received 0.75 inches. Lots more coming down now. Power it out for many of us. I am fortunate to have a backup generator, which is how I can send this to you today. Batten down the hatches!

•

I love seeing these beautiful birds. Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Perry Hoffman recently photographed one on the bluffs at the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands.

What a lovely photo!

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

We had a vigorous storm come in overnight. There was 1.9 inches of rain in my gauge, and now we've had 10.7 inches season to date! It's cold today, in the low 40's. Lots of clouds dancing across the sky with intermittent sunshine - absolutely stunning!