Holiday paws

  

Nice set of River Otter (Lontra canadensis) tracks in soft sand at Point Reyes today (28 November 2025). 

Fall colors

  

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) in Cotati on 26 November 2025.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Elusive

  

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) perched on a post near Spud Point Marina on 20 November 2025.  

I've probably mentioned this before, but good kingfisher photos have been elusive for me (over many years of trying!).  Kingfishers seem hyper-aware, and even when I think I'm hidden behind a tree or next to another object, they take off before I can get close enough for a decent shot.

This photo finally feels a bit more satisfying.  I hope to do better some day, but I like how you can see some of the feather details, including white spots and highlights on various types of feathers.  [Click on the image for a larger version and scan around to see what you can see!]

Morning view

  

Stopped briefly on the way to work this morning (20 November 2025) to photograph a couple of Red Phalaropes (Phalaropus fulicarius).  They were feeding along Westshore Road near a raft of sea lettuce (Ulva sp.) 

 

  

 

 

Shoreline swimmer

  

Brief view of a River Otter (Lontra canadensis) in Bodega Harbor this morning (17 November 2025).

Watch your speed

  

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) perched along Westshore Road in Bodega Bay on 11 November 2025.

P.S.  Did you know that Belted Kingfishers can fly up to speeds of 25 mph (40 kmh)?  (Some sources say they might be able to reach speeds of up to 36 mph (58 kmh)...1 mph faster than this local speed limit!) 

Painting the clouds

  

Beautiful cloud patterns at sunset on 10 November 2025.

[You can click on the image for a larger version.] 

Sunbathing

 

 

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) sunbathing in our garden today (9 November 2025), with wing and tail feathers spread wide.

The hummingbird was perched on a tomato cage in a sunny corner.  Also fun to see a little hummingbird shadow near the base of the fence:
 

 

 

 

Eastern sky

  

Sunrise from Cotati on 4 November 2025 

(You can click on the image for a larger version.) 

Western sky

  

Ocean view from Bodega Head near sunset on 14 October 2025.