Two skimmers skimming

  

A few more photos of two Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) in Bodega Harbor yesterday (10 June 2023).  Although a small number of Black Skimmers nest in south San Francisco Bay, they are more common in southern California, so it was fun to spend a few minutes with them.

Most of the images I have show the skimmers skimming.  This is a highly specialized feeding technique — dropping the lower mandible into the water while in flight, hoping to make contact with a fish.  

First, here's a photo where you can see the difference in length between the upper and lower mandibles:

 

 

 

In the close-up photos you can see a small "wake" behind the bill as the lower mandible slices through the water:

 

 

 

Often one skimmer followed close behind the other:

 

 

 

 

It was a foggy, overcast day, but the lighting emphasized the length of the skimmers' wings and their graceful flight:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutwater

  

Running out of time tonight, but here's a quick photo of a Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) in Bodega Harbor on 10 June 2023.  [You can click on the images for larger versions.]  I'll share more about them tomorrow! 

Storm skimmer

  

I've been hearing reports of a Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) in Bodega Harbor during the last few days, so with a break in the weather today I went to take a quick look around at Doran Beach.

After a little searching I spotted the skimmer near the mouth of Cheney Creek.  Although a bit distant, here are a few zoomed-in photos for the record.

Another flight shot:

 

 

And two while sitting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And one more, showing the feather patterning in the wings and tail:

 

 

 

Black Skimmers are rare in Sonoma County, sometimes showing up after the breeding season.  They're generally found farther south during the winter (e.g., along the coast in southern California and Baja California, Mexico).  This bird's presence in Bodega Harbor at this time of year is probably related to recent storms.

Skimming the surface

This morning I heard that Rick had spotted a Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) in Bodega Harbor.  Black Skimmers are rare in Sonoma County (they're more common in southern California), so this afternoon I decided to see if it was still around.

I found it in several locations within Bodega Harbor.  Most of the time it was a little too distant for my camera lens, but I thought it would still be fun to share a few photos for the record.

Two pictures of the skimmer sitting on the mudflats (in the second image, the bird has its bill tucked underneath its feathers):

 

 

Two pictures in flight:

 

 

 One highlighting the long wings and tail pattern:

 

And one picture of the skimmer skimming (below).  Black Skimmers are named after their distinctive feeding behavior.  They don't plunge dive like terns.  Instead, the skimmer drops its lower mandible into the water and skims along at the surface trying to make contact with small fish.  (Note that the skimmer's lower mandible is much longer than the upper mandible.)

 

Although there have been several Black Skimmer sightings in Bodega Harbor during the last decade or so, this is the first I've seen locally.  The wind was calm enough today that at times you could hear the skimmer calling.  Fun! 

P.S.  If you decide to try to find this bird, the easiest place to see it today was on the harbor side of Doran Beach, near the Rich Stallcup Viewing Platform (opposite the Cypress Day Use parking lot).  

A record day

Today I set my personal record for the greatest number of dragonfly species seen on Bodega Head in one day.

Remember that Bodega Head isn't a great site for dragonflies — it's often cold and windy, and there isn't much fresh water.  But on warm days in late summer/fall, species that are known to disperse along the coast often appear.  I was happy to set my own record, and to document one species that I hadn't observed on Bodega Head before.  

How many species do you think I saw?  (The answer is below this picture.)

 

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) — male

On 15 August 2015, I recorded 10 species of dragonflies on Bodega Head.  I was excited, but also a little frustrated, because I thought I should have been able to find one more species.

I photographed 8 out of the 10 species.  Although I have seen a Blue Dasher (above) in the Bodega Dunes, this is the first time I've photographed one on Bodega Head.

The next picture is a "documentary" image — it's not a great photo, but it serves as a record.  This is the first time I've seen this species on Bodega Head.

 

 Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) — an ovipositing female

Below are the other six species I photographed today:

 

 Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) — male

 

 Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum) — ovipositing pair

 

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) — male

 

Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) — female 

 

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) — male

 

 Common Green Darner (Anax junius) — male, in the upper left corner of the photo
[There is also a Black Saddlebags in the upper right corner.]

And the two species that I observed but didn't photograph?  Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) and a mosaic darner, probably Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor).

I don't think it will be easy to see more than 10 species of dragonflies in one day on Bodega Head, but I'll keep trying, and I'd love to hear about your observations, too.

 

Among the rocks

 

Yes, this is Sonoma County.  I was lucky enough to join a LandPath's hike to The Cedars today.  The Cedars is an amazing natural area northwest of the Austin Creek State Recreation Area.  It's only accessible via guided tours (many thanks to Roger, David, and Andy!).

I have quite a few pictures to share, but for now I'll post a couple of my favorite dragonfly images.

Austin Creek runs through this area as a relatively small, rocky creek.  These dragonflies specialize in this type of habitat.

 

Red Rock Skimmer (Paltothemis lineatipes).  The males are bright red, while females are grayer.  Both match the landscape well.  Here's the female (below).  I was thrilled to see this species, as it is one I definitely don't get to see on the coast!

 

And here's another wonderful riverine dragon, this one was perched in a shrub away from the creek.  Dragonflies will do this (spend time away from water) while maturing, resting, and feeding.

 

This is a male Bison Snaketail (Ophiogomphus bison).  The markings on the abdomen in this group of dragonflies looked snake-like to someone, hence the common name. 

To learn more about The Cedars, start with this excellent article in Fremontia by Roger Raiche.

And stay tuned for more pictures from one of Sonoma County's very special places...