Tag Archives: Ron LeValley

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Cute as can be, a Burrowing Owl was recently photographed by Coastal photographer Ron LeValley.

Here's what Ron wrote about his photo: "The burrowing owl that I posted a photo of in January is still present. They usually don't stay on the coast in the spring and summer, as they nest inland. But this one is still here. It's unusual to see a Burrowing Owl with ice plant.This photograph was taken at MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino County, California on March 17, 2013."

This small Owl eats insects. To hear its call, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/burrowing_owl/sounds

To see much more of Ron's photography, here's the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/ Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Ron LeValley recently photographed a Pygmy Nuthatch characteristically moving head-first down the trunk of a Pine tree.

Ron says, "Creepers go up the trees and Nuthatches go down!" I asked him what the Nuthatch does when it reaches the bottom. Ron replied, "It flies up to the top and heads down again." They are, of course, looking for insects and seeds on the tree.

Their call is quite distinctive and you can hear it on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website at this link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pygmy_Nuthatch/sounds

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Ron's wonderful photography, here is his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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Burrowing Owls are a rare sighting on the Mendonoma Coast. Ron LeValley recently photographed one at MacKerricher State Park. Here's what Ron had to say about his sighting: "My gallery partner Ken called and told me about this Burrowing Owl hanging out near the old Haul Road just south of Ward Avenue in the state park. These birds mostly live in the Central Valley but a few winter on the north coast each year. These are only about 8 inches tall, but they stand taller!"

 Tim Moulton photographed a young one at The Sea Ranch several years ago.

To hear the call of this special Owl, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Burrowing_Owl/id

To see much more of Ron's wildlife photography, here's the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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King Tides, the biggest tides of the year, hit the Mendonoma coast yesterday. Ron LeValley was at MacKerricher State Park and got this magnificent photo.

The California King Tides Initiative invites photographers to post their photos of these extremely high tides. It is thought they will give us a look at our future with sea level rise happening in the years to come. Here's the link to post your photos or to learn more: http://www.californiakingtides.org/

And here's what Ron wrote about his experience yesterday: "King Tide! Today was the highest tide of the winter and some big waves were coming in. We went to the beach at MacKerricher State Park and watched the waves go over the beach and on to the road next to Lake Cleone. Eventually we had to leave because State Parks was worried that the road might have to be closed, and we were on the other side of the closure! We have to plan for these tides more in the future. This is a hint of what it is going to be like regularly in the future as ocean levels rise."

The next King Tides will occur on January 9 to the 11th, 2013

To see much more of Coast Photographer Ron LeValley's photos, here's the link to his web site: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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Kay Martin's heather bush is in full bloom and, as she put it, butterflies are kissing the blossoms. She photographed a lovely American Lady Butterfly nectaring on the plant.

Then another butterfly arrived - this one was a Painted Lady.

Thanks to Kay for allowing me to share her photos and thanks to Ron LeValley for the identification of these beauties.