Tag Archives: Robert Scarola

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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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Cliff Swallows have arrived and are busy building their nests of mud. You can see these beautiful swallows working hard at the north end of the Gualala Community Center building, along the entrance road to the post office. Cliff Swallows nest in colonies. Here is a photo Robert Scarolo took some years ago in a tunnel at The Sea Ranch.

Diane Hichwa further explains. She wrote, “Our Barn Swallows build individual nests [hidden from each other]. Tree Swallows build in cavities in trees or boxes, and may be harder to find! Violet-green Swallows use nesting boxes.” Our largest swallow, the Purple Martin, uses nesting cavities in trees that other birds have made, such as woodpeckers.

Here is the beautiful Violet-green Swallow photographed by Craig Tooley.

And there is one more swallow species that returns here in the spring. Ron Bolander wrote, “I was out photographing at Gualala Point with my  usual Saturday group of friends. We all photographed these Northern Rough-winged Swallows in this tree. It was nice to capture this image on a beautiful day in the park.” Diane tells me this type of swallow is found near a river, as they nest in the river’s banks.

All of these swallows leave our area in the late Summer or early Fall. They are insect eaters, eating over a hundred insects a day, each one of them. In the Winter there aren’t enough insects for them to survive here, so they fly to warmer climes to our south.

If you are lucky enough to have swallows build a nest under your eves or in a light fixture, as happened one year at Surf Super’s entrance doors, think of the benefits these swallows bring by keeping the insect population under control. If you are worried about the mess the baby birds make, you can take a cardboard box and cut the sides off, leaving an inch or so. Tack that up under the nest to catch the waste, and when the birds have fledged, take it down and dispose of it. Remember that migratory birds, and their nests, are protected by law.

Thanks to Robert, Craig and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Chris Beach photographed the beautiful Cliff Swallows building nests on rocky cliffs. This sandstone looks perfect for multiple nests.

These swallows like to be in a group - no social distancing going on here! They build intricate nests out of mud in the shape of a gourd. This photo was taken some years ago by Robert Scarola.

Cliff Swallows will often use overpasses, the golf course tunnels at Sea Ranch, and even the Gualala Bridge. Rick and I were kayaking under the bridge when I discovered dozens and dozens of Cliff Swallow nests.

Here is a closer look at these beautiful birds. This photo was also taken by Robert Scarola.

These swallows eat lots and lots of insects every day.

Thanks to Chris and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's raining here this afternoon, and the gentle rain feels like a balm.

Spring doesn't know...

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Harbor Seal pups are being born on secluded beaches. While the mothers are busy with their sweet pups, it looks like the males were hanging out together at Gualala Point Regional Park.

Mark Hancock wrote, “Laverne and I went for a hike, hoping to see the Bald eagles – we didn’t, Gray Whales – we did, and walk the beach to the river mouth.

“We were delighted to see 40 Harbor Seals hauled out on the north end of the river mouth, or in the river itself, so we laid out our picnic on the south bank and watched the seals. One of the bigger ones was unhappy that ‘his’ spot was occupied, and he chased the occupant away and into the river.

“We were particularly amused by how the Harbor Seals raised their head and tails when the waves came over the top of the beach and flowed down through where they were laid out.”

Here's two favorite photos of Harbor Seals, both taken by Robert Scarola a few years ago. The first shows a seal managing not to get swept off the rock by the surf. The second shows what bliss it is to be on the Mendonoma coast!

Thanks to Mark and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Kathy Bishop caught a Great Blue Heron with its mouth wide open. Who knew this is what a GBH's mouth looked like?!

Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma coast. They can be seen hunting rodents on grassy meadows, and standing in calm water, looking for a tasty fish.

Here's a fun photo of a GBH coming in for a landing, taken by Robert Scarola.

They are quite beautiful when they lift off, as you will see in this wonderful photo by Paul Brewer.

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