Mine!

 

 

We've been busy with sea star surveys this week, but I couldn't help taking a quick photo of these two Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) fighting over an Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus).  

 

The gull on the left was trying to swallow the sea star when gull on the right flew in and started pulling on one of the sea star's rays.  (If you're wondering, the second gull was eventually successful at pulling the sea star away from the first.)

Nice combination

  

These waves weren't that big, but the angle of light and the wind direction combined to produce some nice colors in the spindrift.  Photographed 27 November 2023.

Golden light

  

Field work has been keeping us busy, but here's a Long-billed Curlew with golden reflections from Point Reyes on 24 November 2023.

Ripples of light

  

While walking at Point Reyes yesterday, Eric and I came across a wonderful setting for photographing patterns of water and light over sand.   

It was hard to choose which images to share, but here are several of our favorites.  Which one do you like?  [You can click on the images for larger versions.]

 

 

Ever since I can remember, I've been drawn to these elemental scenes.  Perhaps the photos provide a sense of what it was like to be there?

Eric captured these images with the camera just above the surface of very shallow water. The water was exceptionally clear, and the sand ripples below were well developed.

 

 

The water was receding with the tide, so after a brief time the conditions changed and the sand was no longer covered by water.  I felt grateful for a little serendipity!

Rising from the sea

  

Nice view of the Farallon Islands from Point Reyes this morning (24 November 2023).

P.S.  Long-time NHBH readers might recall that I have photographed the Farallon Islands from Bodega Head.  Back in 2015 I wondered if it was possible, so I did some calculations and then went up to the highest point on Bodega Head to see what I could see.  If you're curious, the full story is in the post called "On the horizon" on 1 January 2015.

Feasting on crab

  

There have been lots of folks fishing for crab off Bodega Head this week.

 

 

 

Once caught, it's important to handle your crab carefully.

 

 

 

 

And then it's time to enjoy it!

 

P.S.  Eric and I are sending warm wishes your way for a day with moments of gratitude.  Perhaps it will include a little time outside giving thanks to our wild neighbors?  And many thanks for tuning in to the Natural History of Bodega Head.  I so appreciate your company on this journey to learn about the natural world around us!

Light from the east

  

Colors at sunrise, photographed from Cotati on 21 November 2023.

"Pupdate"

 

 

Perhaps you'll remember the River Otter family I photographed back in August?  I think the last photo I shared was on 29 August 2023.  I had photographed a mother with two pups, and the mother had a noticeable injury (likely from a white shark — see the post called "Ouch" on 28 August 2023).  

We observed the injured mother a few times after that initial sighting, but the sightings have become less frequent.  I hadn't seen the pups in several weeks, but I encountered them tonight (19 November 2023), so I thought I'd share a "pupdate."  If you compare the photos from August, I think you'll see how much the pups have grown.

I'm still keeping an eye out for their mom, but at this time I don't have additional information about her.

Slowly sinking

  

Sunset off Bodega Head, 18 November 2023

Rain on the way

  

Rain on the way, 14 November 2023

Starting the day

 

 

Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) bathing in Monterey on 12 November 2023.

Early morning bath

  

We're at a meeting in Monterey and were pleasantly surprised to encounter several Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) bathing in a waterfall feature at the hotel this morning.

First we noticed a male zipping in and hovering near the fast-flowing water:

 

 

He landed in the shallow water running over a flat rock and did quite a bit of splashing (first photo of this post and below):

 

 

Then a female arrived and bathed at the edge where the water flowed down to the next level:

 

 

 

So fun to see this early morning hummingbird bathing behavior.  And I felt grateful that the hotel took the time to create a water feature so inviting to wildlife!

Venus and the Moon

  

I missed seeing the Moon pass in front of Venus this morning, but it was still a pretty view with both high in the early morning sky.

Light as a feather

 

 

A feather in the coastal prairie.  (Perhaps from a Burrowing Owl?)  Photographed on 7 November 2023.

Stranded sailor

  

Quick record shot of a By-the-wind Sailor (Velella velella) washed ashore today, 4 November 2023.  This one was ~2 cm long.  

Sunset spouts

 

 

It looked like a nice sunset was developing at the end of the day, so I went out to watch for a few minutes.  I started to notice some lighter spots out towards the horizon and it took me a minute to realize they were whale spouts being lit up by the lingering light.  So cool!