Pelicans, Brown and White, are so graceful in the air, but not always so graceful when then come in for a water landing. Ron LeValley photographed this White Pelican near Bodega Bay. I wonder if the Marbled Godwits in the foreground were worried.
This photo deserves a caption! Thanks to Ron LeValley for allowing me to share it with you. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/
Just north of Stewarts Point, a bull Tule Elk has been seen on the west side of Highway One with a group of dairy cows. He might just be sharing their feed or he's a little confused during this time of the rut. Craig Tooley got this photo of the rare visitor.
There is a herd at Point Reyes so perhaps this fellow came from there. He hasn't been seen for the past several days, so we'll have to wait and see if this was a one-time visit or if Tule elk are expanding their territory to include the coast.
Here's a photo of the elk appearing to chase the cows. This photo was taken by Ron LeValley.
And finally a photo of the elk bugling, taken by Rozanne Rapozo.
Thanks to Craig, Ron, and Rozanne for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Last week Ron LeValley was called by a friend to come look at a pod of Orcas. There was a bell buoy with two CA Sea Lions on it, which is what attracted the Orcas. Orcas LOVE to eat Sea Lions. The first photo shows the small pod, with a juvenile on the lower left. In the second and third photos an Orca approaches the buoy where a doomed Sea Lion waits. The last photo shows the Orca has nabbed its meal.
It is said nature is cruel. I submit nature is always busy. And everything has to eat.
I thank Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/
Marilyn Green recently photographed a Common Buckeye Butterfly.
Several days later Marlee Little photographed Common Buckeye caterpillars. Here's a photo of one of them.
I learned from Ron LeValley that this butterfly breeds nearly all year long so it's not unusual to see both the caterpillars and the butterflies at the same time.
A flashier cousin of Common Buckeyes - Monarchs - are migrating through our area now.
Thanks to Marilyn and Marlee for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Waves are fascinating to watch and to photograph. Ron LeValley photographed this wave off of Little River, close to the town of Mendocino.
Thanks to Ron for this beautiful photo. You can almost hear and smell the salt air, can't you?!
To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/