Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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A Baird's Sandpiper was seen at the south end of Manchester Beach. David Presotto got this wonderful photo.

These sandpipers have long, tapered wings which help with their very long migration. They fly from the tip of South America all the way up to the Arctic to nest. And, once in a while, one of these beautiful birds will be found along the Mendonoma coast.

Thanks to David for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

The fog is gone and it's warming up, just in time for the holiday weekend! Bonus sighting: Humpbacks were seen  few days ago.

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Mary Sue Ittner recently photographed this lovely butterfly, an Acmon Blue.

This butterfly is mainly found in California. Going by my records, it's a pretty rare sighting for our coast!

Thanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

The fog disappeared early this morning. Sunshine and gentle breezes rules the day!

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Brown Pelicans use offshore rocks to rest overnight on their travels. So it's not surprising to see hundreds roosting on Gualala Point Island. Craig Tooley photographed the sight.

GPI is off the north end of The Sea Ranch.

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

Heavy fog this morning, with sun this afternoon/

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Lisa wrote, "To my joy I realized it was a very low tide, so I spent an hour or so with pants rolled up trolling the tide pools and rocks, delighted by all the small wonders and beauties waiting for a curious eye to discover. Along with the array of the usual muted orange and purple starfish I found one that was a deep, bright reddish orange - absolutely stunning! It had been turned upside down by the outgoing tide and was stuck on its back, so I righted it where it would soon be doused by the salty sea goodness again." Lisa found a Bat Star.

She wrote further, "Much to my excitement I also spied two live Abalone, clinging to their exposed rocky perches, waiting out the ebb of the tide till they could hide once more in their watery world. The bigger one was about 11 inches in diameter with an opalescent sheen of soft greens and pinks."

"And then, something I've never seen at Anchor Bay Beach before - a Sea Cucumber! This one was about a foot long, orange and beige beauty."

"The tide-pools themselves were absolutely gorgeous pieces of abstract living art… What an amazing place we live in where even the bounty of the sea shares itself with us to continually inspire awe and wonder."

Thanks to Lisa for allowing me to share her photos with you here, and for her beautiful prose!

It's sunny and mild this afternoon after the cooling morning fog.

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Ron Bolander was at the Gualala River when he saw an Osprey carrying its catch of a fish. Then a Bald Eagle swooped in.

Despite the eagle's efforts, the Osprey kept its dinner. Go fish for yourself, Bald Eagle!

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

There is a high fog today, with mild temps.