Tag Archives: Sara Bogard

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You might have a chance to see a spectacle at Gualala Point Island this weekend. Common Murres, seabirds, nest on the island. When the chicks are ready to fledge, they have to take a leap of faith off the island and into the water where their fathers wait, calling up to them with encouragement. As of Friday, July 31st, the chicks were still on the island but they could fledge at any time now.

Sara Bogard was at the Point Arena Lighthouse bluffs when she saw a Common Murre chick in the water following its father, so this chick fledged earlier than the ones on GPI.

Once the chicks are in the water with dad, the mother birds are free from child rearing, something other bird mothers must be jealous of!

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Sara Bogard noticed this Harbor Seal pup mimicking his mother.

Were they exchanging secrets? Covering up a possible yawn? Whatever is going on, it was a cute moment and Sara captured it with her camera.

The pups are getting bigger. The mothers are beginning to wean them and the pups aren't too happy about it. Free meals will soon be a think of the past!

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you  here.

Cooler weather with beautiful clouds, some dark enough to hold moisture, are drifting quickly by. It actually feels like we could get some rain. We'll see!

Spring doesn't know...

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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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Ospreys nest on the Mendonoma Coast, and it's quite wonderful seeing them dive for fish. As many of the females are currently sitting on eggs, the male brings a fish back to the nest for her to feed. Sara Bogard saw an Osprey with what I believe is a Surf Perch.

Ospreys dive with their talons extended as they enter the ocean. Here's a dramatic photo Paul Brewer took several years ago of an Osprey snagging a fish.

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

We've had some nice, gentle rain, nearly an inch from the two storms. More to come but this afternoon is quite beautiful with dramatic clouds interspersed with sunshine.

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...