Tag Archives: Shari Goforth

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I invited photographer Shari Goforth over to my place in Anchor Bay to see if she could photograph the Western Flycatcher [formerly called Pacific Slope Flycatcher] couple feeding their chicks. The nest, woven with lichen, is above an outdoor light fixture. Shari patiently sat on the deck about twenty feet away. The adults were very wary of this change of scenery and it took quite a while before their worry about Shari was superseded by their need to feed their two chicks. Shari got a series of photos and in each photo the adult flycatcher had an insect in his or her mouth, ready for the open beaks of their offspring.

The flycatcher chicks are completely silent, at least to human ears. Shari has Western Bluebirds in her nesting box in Gualala. She wrote, “Unlike your flycatchers, these chicks are not reticent! At feedings, they make a huge racket in that little box. I can hear it on the bench at least 30 feet away!”

Thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photos with you here. The chicks fledged several days ago. I miss the adults coming and going!

Breezy and HOT today. Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer. Yep, we're having a heatwave. Head to the beach!

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I love these spring wildflowers! They almost seem to reflect the sky. They grow on coastal bluffs and are native to California. Shari Goforth photographed Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila menziesii,  near the Point Arena Lighthouse a few weeks ago.

And Julia Larke photographed a group of them.

Thanks to Shari and Julia for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's another warm day, but not quite so hot as the past two days. Shari told me there was a little fog this morning at the PA Lighthouse. Fog is Mother Nature's air conditioner!

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This Peregrine Falcon was apparently enjoying the sun in Gualala as he perched in one spot for quite a while. Shari Goforth was there with her camera in hand.

I haven't had any reports of nesting Peregrines...yet! Peregrine Falcons are strong and fast fliers. They prey on smaller birds. In their swooping dive from above, they can reach speeds of up to 200 mph!

To hear their call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/sounds

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

It was cold overnight, but today has a bright blue sky, and temps in the low 60s. There is some rain in our forecast, and I hope it manifests!

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The beginning of the northward migration back to the Arctic has begun. The first Grays to head north are the newly pregnant females. They are swimming hard and fast for their feeding grounds. Shari Goforth saw several Gray Whales the other day off the bluffs of the Point Arena Lighthouse. Despite the distance, Shari got several great photos. Here is the tail of one of the Grays she saw.

And here is a collage of the two Gray Whales she saw.

Thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To read her blog posts, here is the link: https://mendonomagraywhale.com/migraytions-blog-home?blog=y

We had sprinkles late yesterday, nice to get a little wet on an afternoon walk with friends. Today is sunny and warm, in the low sixties. There is no wind and the ocean is glistening like a million diamonds in the afternoon sun.