Tag Archives: Ron Bolander

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American Goldfinches arrive in chattering groups, attracted to native thistles and milkweed. They love sunflower and nyger seeds, so you might be able to attract them to a tube feeder. Ron Bolander photographed this pair. The male is looking very spiffy in his bright yellow feathers.

Sara Bogard also photographed these small finches feeding on a coastal bluff.

These birds often are seen with Pine Siskins. Their songs are a series of warbles and twitters. You can listen to their call at this link of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/sounds

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

A river of rain event is on its way this afternoon. It's quite balmy as we await Mother Nature's theatrics. Rick and I were out yesterday and we checked the Gualala River. It is closed by the sandbar and has filled up nicely into the lagoon. We'll have to see if the river opens with this oncoming storm.

Spring doesn't know...

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It's always a joy when the Ospreys return, right around the first day of Spring. Rick and I get to watch an active nest in Anchor Bay through our spotting scope. While there are multiple nests here, perhaps Ron Bolander photographed the male of the pair we watch.

This Osprey has a very intent look on his face! He hunts fish for his mate, as she sits on the nest, tending to the eggs. He also will bringing nest materials back to the nest on a regular basis. They fine-tune and reinforce their nest daily. Sara Bogard photographed an Osprey bringing nesting materials back to the nest.

He's got quite a haul!

Yesterday, as I was watching the nest, I saw Common Ravens over the nest. They were trying to steal the eggs! The female Osprey stayed on her eggs with her neck extended, while the male Osprey performed aerial maneuvers, dive-bombing the Ravens and chasing them off. Whew! Today all is calm.

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

We are headed into a warming trend. Today it's in the high 60's with a breeze.

Spring doesn't know...

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Ron Bolander is staying home and photographing in his garden. We are the lucky recipients of Ron's work, as he got this great photo of a Rufous Hummingbird sipping nectar.

Rufous Hummingbirds fly thousands of miles, twice a year. We see them on the coast during their spring and autumn migration. They breed far to our north, and then overwinter in Mexico. These little birds needs a LOT of nectar to fuel their long trips.

Ron also photographed an Anna's Hummingbird.

These little hummers are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Rather than put up feeders, which require good cleaning and filling of sugar-water, Rick and I have planted plants especially for hummingbirds. Here are suggestions from the CA Native Plant Society of the best native flowers to plant for them: https://www.cnps.org/gardening/hummingbird-gardening-5098

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

Beautiful day here today after the fog pulled back. Low 60's. Brown Pelicans have been seen, flying north, and it's always a thrill to see them. The ocean is quite loud, the backdrop to our lives here on the beautiful Mendonoma Coast.

 

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Ferne Fedeli once again found a Common Raven liberating hair from the backside of her donkey. I guess Ferne's donkey has nice soft hair, perfect for lining a nest.

Ron Bolander found this Raven attacking the mirror on a Coastal Seniors' bus.

Sometimes a bird sees its reflection in a mirror or glass and thinks he sees a handsome competitor. Ron tells me they now cover the mirrors with small wastepaper baskets to protect them.

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

We had a vigorous storm come through overnight, dropping over an inch of much-needed rain. Today is sun-drenched with white, puffy clouds drifting by. Just lovely.

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There has been a male Roosevelt Elk near the hamlet of Elk for several years now. He has been hanging out with a group of domestic cattle. Ferne Fedeli found him missing his magnificent rack recently. Here's what he looks like without his antlers.

He's not quite as imposing without them, is he? Here's what he looked like with his antlers, this photo taken by Ron Bolander.

He'll be growing a new set soon. I wonder if this is the year he will find a mate. Roosevelt Elk are seen to our north; until this fellow arrived, only a few have been spotted on the Mendonoma coast.

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

We are having light rain today. As I type this, the clouds have lifted a bit and I can see the Pacific Ocean. I've received several reports of Risso's Dolphins headed my direction. Hope I get to see them.

Spring doesn't know...