Tag Archives: Sara Bogard

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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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Yes, the first Harbor Seal pups have made their appearance in secluded coves. One area where they are born is at Tidepool Rookery off The Sea Ranch, another area is by the Point Arena Lighthouse/Point Arena Stornetta Lands. After the birth, the mother and pup touch noses. Sara Bogard recently witnessed a birth, and she photographed this photo which she entitled, "A Mother's Kiss." The mother is on the left.

A sweet, loving photo for you today. Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share it with you.

A few words of warning: never "rescue" a pup you might see along on the beach. The mother leaves her sweet pup to go feed. Also, make sure your dogs are leashed, or better yet, leave them behind if viewing Harbor Seals now. Make no noise or sudden movement, and you will be rewarded with a blissful sighting.

Another warm spring day here on the Mendonoma coast, with high clouds. Spring doesn't know...

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Sara Bogard was doing her weekly Harbor Seal survey at the bluffs near the Point Arena Lighthouse when she saw this Bald Eagle with its dinner. A Common Raven looks on, but this Bald Eagle - like most, I believe - won't share.

One of my favorite photos of the Gualala Bald Eagles is this one taken by Eric Zetterholm.

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

The storm moved on, leaving us with a breezy, drifting clouds kind of day.

Spring doesn't know...

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To keep your mind off the news, here are three beautiful birds photographed recently by Sara Bogard at the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands bluffs. First, a Western Bluebird.

Then a Western Meadowlark perched on a post for Sara.

And finally this handsome Surf Scoter.

So, if you are troubled by today's events, think of these birds who are thriving.

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

Fog blankets the ocean, but Gualala was sunny today. Changes to come!

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A week ago Thursday, eagle eyes at the Point Arena Lighthouse spotted a pod of Orcas. Sara Bogard and Scott & Tree Mercer were notified. Luckily they were out on the bluffs already, and Sara had her long lens camera. Sara wrote, “Scott, Tree, and I were blessed with this amazing sighting of eight Orcas a half-mile out on January 23, 2:30 to 4 pm. There were two males, and a mother and calf with the pod. This was the most amazing sighting after finishing up my Harbor Seal survey of 111 total count. Also, a North American River Otter was foraging. I’m so grateful for this sighting.”

The Mercers were excited too. Scott wrote, “The excitement this week arrived on Thursday afternoon with the surprise arrival of eight Killer Whales arriving from the northwest. OrcaNetwork in Washington, Orca experts Alisa Janiger and Nancy Black, and Jodi Smith of Naked Whale Research were notified immediately and were sent photos. Janiger and Black quickly identified the Orcas as meat-eating transient Orcas. We see Orcas on average, once a year, and rarely close, so this relatively close sighting was very exciting. Sara Bogard’s excellent photos made identification possible.”

This second photo is of one of the males. Note the very tall dorsal fin. The Orca experts were able to identify several of the females, CA26 and CA180. Nancy Black wrote, “CA26 is one of our oldest females. She lost her son many years ago so she now often travels with the other older females. [They are called] ‘the golden girls.’”

You can read about these golden girls at this link: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/orcas-golden-girls-grab-spotlight-monterey

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

A spring-like day, full of sun and warmth, today.