Jim Coda Nature Photography

November 30, 2010Uncategorized

Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

A bul elk walks inside a corral at the Kehoe Ranch. — Bull Elk in Corral

As I mentioned in a recent post, the elk at Tomales Point are kept there by a fence that runs across the peninsula from Tomales Bay to the ocean. However, occasionally they will go around the end of the fence. I’ve seen bulls outside the enclosure, but never a cow. Here is a bull that was inside a corral at the Kehoe Ranch on October 31. Twenty minutes later when I came back from the Pierce Point Ranch area the bull was gone. The gate was open. I assume that’s how the bull got in. Later, I realized that I should have told the people at the Kehoe Ranch and/or the Park Service that the bull was in the Kehoe corral. Maybe it was an opportunity to get the animal back into the enclosure.

November 27, 2010Uncategorized

Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

I saw this bull on my last trip to Point Reyes. He was in the elk enclosure at Pierce Point. I think the rut was over, but he was with a half dozen females.

November 24, 2010Uncategorized

Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

A cow elk grazes near Pierce Point. — Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

This cow elk was spotted feeding near the former Pierce Point Ranch which is located on the Tomales Point Peninsula. The Tomales Point Peninsula is where elk were re-introduced to the Seashore in about 1975. They are restricted by a fence that was erected just before the re-introduction. It runs across the peninsula from Tomales Bay to the ocean. The fence was installed to keep the elk out of the ranches on the Seashore.

November 22, 2010Uncategorized

Hawks and Fall Migration, Point Reyes National Seashore

A Red-tailed hawk perches on a fence post. — Red-tailed Hawk, Point Reyes National Seashore

When fall comes around and I think of Point Reyes, two things come to mind — the elk rut and the hawk migration. This red-tail let me get fairly close.

October 19, 2010Uncategorized

Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

A coyote at Point Reyes stares at the photographer. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

I spotted this coyote on my last visit to Point Reyes. Until I saw him, it had been quite a while since I last saw one there.

October 18, 2010Uncategorized

Bobcat, Marin County, California

A bobcat crosses a rancher's field. — Bobcat, Marin County, California

I spotted this bobcat on the way to Point Reyes earlier this month. It may be the same one I photographed in August.

September 9, 2010Uncategorized

Hummers Are Amazing

I find hummers to be amazing birds because of their size, speed and maneuverability. According to Hummingbird World, their nests are about the size of half of an English walnut shell. The outer part of their nests is made up of moss and plant fibers. Sometimes it is shingled with lichen. The rest is comprised of plant down and spider web material. Eggs measure one-half inch in length.

A female Anna's Hummingbird sits in nest. — Anna's Hummingbird in Nest, Point Reyes National Seashore