Tag Archives: Robert Scarola

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Spotted Towhees are large Sparrows found in the West. Previously called Rufous-sided Towhees, they can be seen hopping in leaves, looking for seeds or other food. They make a double scratching motion in their search for food, which includes insects. They are a striking bird, as Robert Scarola's photo will show.

Except when the male is singing in the spring to attract a mate, these birds are mostly quiet. Their hopping/scratching motion is what attracts my attention when they are under our bird feeder scoring seeds knocked out by the various Jays.

Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To hear the songs and calls of a Spotted Towhee, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/spotted_towhee/sounds

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You can see the Gray Fox Kits in Robert Scarola's photo are growing up. These two  youngsters were enjoying the nice, warm rock to laze away the afternoon.

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

To see a photo of very young Fox Kits, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/06/10/gray-fox-kits-are-they-the-cutest-critters-on-the-mendonoma-coast/

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Robert Scarola had been digging in his yard the previous day, getting ready to put a few fence posts in. A California Quail couple discovered the newly turned dirt and decided to take a dirt bath, which helps them maintain the right amount of oil on their feathers.

Here are Robert's thoughts on these beautiful birds:

"The male really guards over his mate and seems to really care for her. They are part of the small daily life all around us. Not the Whales or Cougars or Hawks that take our breath away and who we love largely. Instead they are reminders of the constant presence of the little critters that share our neighborhood, and give us the chance to appreciate their gentle lives, and bring our own lives more in tune with theirs."

Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see another photo of CA Quail by Paul Batchelder, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/09/20/charming-photo-of-california-quail-by-paul-batchelder/

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Such a sweet little flower, Pussy Ears or Cat's Ears, are now blooming on the Mendonoma Coast. Robert Scarola recently photographed one of these beauties. Yes, the flower is soft to the touch.

Below is a photo I took that shows the long, slender leaf of this wildflower. It grows separate from the actual flower. Once you recognized this long leaf, you will more easily see these flowers.

Pussy Ears are also called Hairy Star Tulip or Tolmie Star Tulip and their Latin name is Calochortus tolmiei. They are native to California but found in other western states. They are a treat to find on the edges of forests.

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

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Robert and Nancy Scarola recently witnessed several Cliff Swallows building nests in a tunnel on The Sea Ranch Golf Links. There was, of course, a muddy area nearby.

Here's one of the Swallows with a bit of mud, headed back to the nesting area. These Swallows fly so fast it was difficult for Robert to get this photo.

 It looks like several nests are complete and occupied, as Robert's photo shows below.

Birds have to be among the most hard-working creatures on earth. Many migrate, some thousands of miles, twice every year. Then comes nest building, which in the case of these Swallows is a bit of mud, one bit after the other until the job is complete. Then they have to feed their young, tirelessly bringing insects back to the nest. It's easy to take them for granted but they are inspiring. Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

If you have Swallows build a nest in an inconvenient spot - say over your front door - please don't destroy the nest. Tack up a cardboard box so it will catch the waste. No mess for you below and a guarantee of a fun sighting in the weeks to come.