Cataract Canyon Waterfall, Marin County, California
Marin County has several pretty waterfalls. This is one of many falls in Cataract Canyon. They are best seen in the rainy season.
Tag: california
Bull Elk Near San Francisco
I photographed this bull Tule elk in the Elk Reserve at Point Reyes National Seashore a couple of weeks ago. The bulls are dropping their antlers there now. This bull may no longer have his. If elk have egos I wonder how the bulls feel when they lose their antlers?
Those of us who live in the San Francisco Bay Area and like to see wildlife are very fortunate to have Point Reyes nearby. We are certain to see Tule elk and Black-tailed deer at Point Reyes. We have a very good chance of seeing coyotes and bobcats. We can see whales off the coast and marine mammals, such as elephant seals, on the shore. We can see all sorts of bird life, including peregrine falcons. I can’t think of another large metropolitan area that has all of these wildlife species nearby.
Bobcat Hunting Gophers
This bobcat was hunting gophers. Gophers are plentiful at Point Reyes, at least in the agricultural areas. They are an important food source for coyotes, bobcats, badgers and other predators at the Seashore. If this bobcat could talk he would probably say there is no such thing as too many gophers.
Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
I spotted this male bobcat hunting when I was out at Point Reyes a few days ago. I saw him miss on two attempts at what I assume were gophers. In addition to this guy, I saw four coyotes, including two that were paired up. As you can see, some areas are very green now.
Killdeer, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
This killdeer had just pulled an earthworm out of the ground and was looking for its next meal when I photographed it. Killdeer are members of the plover family and get their name from their “killdee” call.
Northern Harrier, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
A female or, possibly juvenile, harrier stands on a fence post. Harriers (AKA marsh hawks) seem to live close to ground level. When I see them they are flying just above the ground or they are perched on something low, like a post, or standing on the ground. They even nest on the ground. Note the owl-like facial disc. Like owls, they use hearing as well as sight to help in locating prey. Another trait they share with owls is soft feathers which makes them quieter in flight.
Long-tailed Weasel, Point Reyes National Seashore
A long-tailed weasel looks for its next meal on the Tomales Peninsula. Long-tailed weasels have a high metabolism and eat up to 40% of their body weight in food every day. They are nocturnal. Their diet consists mainly of rodents which they pursue into and through their burrows. In the northern portion of their range they molt to white in winter, but the tip of the tail remains black.
The Park Service also lists the short-tailed weasel as an inhabitant of Point Reyes. They are about 1/2 the size of a long-tail, have shorter tails in relation to their body length, and have white bellies. They can also molt to white with black tail tip. It is the short-tail weasel that is also known as ermine.
Here is another look at our energetic hunter as it emerges from a rodent hole. These animals do not stand still for long.
