Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Rozanne Rapozo wrote, "The full Moon passed in front of the reddish planet Mars on the night of December 7th just as the planet was at its nearest to Earth and brightest."

"This was a rare event (only happens about every 2 years), made all the more special because December 7 was the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 17, the last time people landed on the Moon."

Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her dramatic photo with you here.

Cold morning, blue skies and a calm ocean - yes, it's a lovely day on the Mendonoma Coast!

 

 

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Craig Tooley was thinking of fairies when he photographed a mushroom that looked like a tiny parasol. He wrote, “Undoubtedly you recognize this Fair-a-sol mushroom. Used by fairies and other magical forest creatures to accessorize for gatherings or just to keep the harsh sun off.  I know that they are not often seen but it is getting close to New Year's, and you know how those fairies love the New Year’s celebrations.”

We think this mushroom is in the amanita family. It is lovely how the edges have formed little "curtains." Fairies must certainly use mushrooms like this!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Some overhead clouds  today which should make for a beautiful sunset. A little warmer today, which is nice! No rain predicted through the weekend.

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Rozanne Rapozo caught this American Kestrel just as it landed. It's fun to see its wing feathers and tail feathers extended. Kestrels use their long tails for balance.

Craig Tooley found this Kestrel staring down a Northern Flicker.

Kestrels are North America's smallest falcon. They eat insects and other small prey. They have an unusual call, rather excited notes, and you can hear it here at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Rozanne and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's been cold here, it was 37 degrees this morning. As we take a break from the rains, passing clouds bring beauty to sunrises and sunsets. There is little wind and the ocean is calm. In other words, an exquisite, lovely day here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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We are receiving a lot of rain today. This morning there was 1.6 inches in our rain gauge, 15.50 inches season to date. And it's raining this afternoon as I type this. During a previous storm, Grace O'Malley photographed the beautiful sight of an approaching storm.

Grace also photographed storm clouds approaching the mouth of the Russian River at Jenner.

There are mushrooms popping up in many places. Matsutakes are still appearing. Here I am a few days ago with a nice haul of these choice, edible mushrooms. Rozann Grunig took the photo.

Thanks to Grace and Rozann for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Rain, intermittent sunshine, gusts of wind...it's a wait-five-minutes kind of day!

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Wednesday, Dec. 7th, was a beautiful, clear day with nary a white cap on the ocean. That morning, at low tide, the Gualala River breached the big sandbar at the far north end. Teresa and Rick Denniston had been watching the scene from their home, Serendipity, overlooking the river and ocean. On Tuesday, the river rose to the middle of the sandbar and then receded a bit. On Wednesday morning, the full-to-the-brim river would have its way.

With more rain headed our way, the river should stay open for a while. Steelhead that were trapped in luxury in the river during the summer and autumn months were swept into the next phase of their lives, life in the ocean. Other Steelhead will be arriving to enter the river to spawn. It's not surprising the one of the Bald Eagles was seen, probably hoping for an easy fish dinner.

Harbor Seals and CA Sea Lions also pay attention to this yearly event!

We are fortunate to be able to watch the Gualala River so easily. It's an important part of the fascinating Mendonoma Coast!

Thanks to Teresa for allowing me to share her photos with you here. Serendipity can be rented. You can learn more at this link: https://www.coastinghome.com/rns/vacation-rental/gualala/ca/serendipity  I just looked at the photos on their website, and I saw my book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year, on their table. Nice!

It's raining today with a big storm coming in Friday night into Saturday. I found Matsutake  mushrooms this morning and many other mushrooms are up now.