Conked out

You might remember when I came across some napping River Otters (Lontra canadensis) last year.  I hadn't seen young ones yet this year, but today (24 August 2019) I got lucky.

A family of four otters conked out on the rocks.  There's an adult, two juveniles, and either another adult or an immature otter (e.g., a one-year old?).

 

Here's another image when they repositioned before continuing their nap:

 

So great to see another family!

 

Phalaropes and friends

 

There are still quite a few Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) in Bodega Harbor.  When leaving work tonight, we noticed this group in a salt marsh pool.  Much of the water had drained out, so the phalaropes were very concentrated.  (There are over 65 phalaropes in the photo above.)

Some other shorebirds joined the phalaropes, and since it's always helpful to have views of species next to each other, here are a few examples.  See if you can spot the birds that look different than the phalaropes.  [You can click on the images for larger versions.]

 

A Least Sandpiper (browner) and two Western Sandpipers (pale gray) on the mud behind the phalaropes.

 

A Least Sandpiper (browner, far left) and two juvenile Western Sandpipers (upper right) behind the phalaropes.

 

Two Semipalmated Plovers (foreground left, and center) and two Least Sandpipers (far right, and third from left in upper group). 

P.S. The entry ponds at the start of Doran Beach are also a great spot to check for phalaropes.

Glowing

 

I'm guessing many of you also saw the beautiful sunset tonight.  It started with some amazing blues and grays, and then transitioned into intense pinks:

 

Summer fog and a breeze

 

Thought it would be fun to share a few shots from a recent sail in Tomales Bay.  Above, approaching White Gulch on Tomales Point.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadow in the foreground:

 

Tomales Point shoreline through the fog:

 

The final run before we headed back to Nick's Cove:

 

On sand or rock

 

Meet Ligia occidentalis, a high intertidal isopod that can be found on sandy beaches and rocky cliffs along the Sonoma Coast. 

Recently we were appreciating how well they blend in with sand (above) as well as rock (below).  Can you spot the isopod in the next photo?  [It's the same individual in both photos.]

 

Above, the isopod is just right of center at the sand/rock interface. 

Here's a zoomed in view so you can see it a little better:

 

Watch for these intriguing isopods scurrying along the upper beach, and especially near cracks and crevices in high intertidal rocks.
 

In the marsh pools

Well, I had to do some chores today, but earlier this morning I spent a few minutes with some beautiful Red-necked Phalaropes, so here are some photo highlights.

Feeding in a marsh pool:

 

Surrounded by ripples from a morning breeze:

 

Preening:

 

Feather details — note the beautiful golden fringes!

 

Among the seagrass and kelp

 

Yesterday (16 August 2019) I noticed a few Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) feeding among the rafts of seagrass and kelp near shore, so here are a couple more photos.