Tag Archives: Ron Bolander

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Sara Bogard photographed this American Kestrel several weeks ago out at the Point Arena Lighthouse bluffs. He sure looks like he's glaring at Sara.

These beautiful, small falcons have migrated off the Mendonoma Coast in recent days because they nest inland. Here is a photo of a male Kestrel showing off his beautiful colors, taken by Ron Bolander.

To hear the calls of this falcon, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Sara and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Surprise! We are having light rain today. We'll take every precious drop.

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Ron Bolander noticed this Bobcat sitting in the sun.

And then the cat with the bobbed tail heard something.

The Bobcat stealthily approached a gopher hole.

And then, he/she put its head in the gopher hole.

 

And drug out a very large gopher. Poor gopher! But this is the food chain in action. The Bobcat then took his meal off into the bushes.

Did you know a Bobcat's markings, the spots and lines of its coat, are unique to each animal? Just like our fingerprints.

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

It's a little cooler today, especially close to the ocean, and a breeze has picked up. Sunny skies are the order of the day. Happy Spring!

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Ron Bolander was at Gualala Point Regional Park photographing birds between storms. He found this gorgeous male American Kestrel. I love how one feather is lifted by the wind.

Ron also found a Bald Eagle soaring through the air.

ah, to be able to fly!

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

Today is very cold...brrr....and lightly raining. We added another .20 inch of rain yesterday for a season to date total of 33.85 inches. After tonight's rain, we are suppose to get a break until late Sunday. With the King Tides this weekend, and New Year's Eve, this weekend would be a great time to be here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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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.