Tag Archives: Ron Bolander

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Western Sandpipers have migrated into our area and photographer Ron Bolander was there with his camera as a flock of five or perhaps six took wing.

Western Sandpipers are shorebirds that nest way up in the Arctic. Some of them will overwinter on the Mendonoma Coast. Fun Fact: females are generally bigger than the males and they have longer beaks.

If you'd like to listen to their calls, you can do so at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Sandpiper/sounds

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

oh my, we are so thankful an early storm from the north arrived yesterday, Saturday. Our rain gauge showed a little over 1.5 inches of the blessed wet stuff.

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Ron Bolander had a rare sighting of a Sora here on the Mendonoma Coast. Look at how big this bird's feet and beak are!

Below you will see the Sora walking through the reeds, perhaps looking for seeds or aquatic insects. Craig Tooley also photographed this marsh bird, and his photo shows the Sora with a tiny snail it its beak. That photo is in this week's Independent Coast Observer with my weekly Mendonoma Sightings column.

Ron told me this bird disappears at the sight or sound of any disturbance. It is quite secretive and quiet. In the photo below, Ron watches as the bird searches for food, making circles in the river.

It's a real treat to see these photos of a bird most of us might not see! These birds do give out a call when disturbed that is described as a downward-pitched whinny. I don't think it sounds like a whinny, but you can hear it for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Listen to the second and third calls to hear this call. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sora/sounds

Thank to Ron for allowing me to share these photos with you here.

Fog is the order of the day along the immediate coast. It's forecast to be sunny for the holiday weekend.

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Several weeks ago Ron Bolander was out photographing birds, fortunately for us! He spotted this Bald Eagle soaring, a lovely photo of the majestic bird.

Ron also spotted a Long-billed Dowitcher.

And then this pair.

These shorebirds nest far to our north, in the Arctic.

Finally, Ron photographed Red-necked Phalaropes, this one in breeding plumage.

Nice day for great bird sightings for Ron! Thanks to him for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

We did have rain overnight and it was so wonderful. Over 1/3rd of an inch at our place in Anchor Bay. This morning it was quite humid and warm. There are lots of visitors here this weekend, enjoying the beauty that surrounds us on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Ron Bolander photographed this Snowy Plover at Manchester State Beach. The bird has four bands on its legs.

I'd be interested in learning why any bird needed four tags. Snowy Plovers are wading birds. Their numbers have been decreasing and their status is "Near Threatened." A flock of several dozen call Manchester State Beach home. Dogs are not allowed in that area to protect these birds. The Snowy Plover's call is a soft whistle. You can hear it at this link, which is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Plover/sounds

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

Today started out cloudy, then the sun broke through. But the wind picked up and it's blowing pretty hard this afternoon. Rain for tomorrow, Sunday.

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A tiny duck with a big head, meet this beautiful male Bufflehead. Ron Bolander found this duck flying over the Gualala River.

Buffleheads nest in woodpecker cavities, especially those made by Northern Flickers. Smart! To hear their quiet calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bufflehead/sounds

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

We are having a sunny, calm day. Rain is moving back into the picture beginning on Friday, thank goodness, but for now the living is easy on the Mendonoma Coast.