Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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John and Janice Batchelder spotted whales off of The Sea Ranch. John wrote, “On Thursday afternoon Janice noticed all the humpback whales working their way north. They were lots of them, and that’s something we haven’t seen for a while. As I tried to capture a few pictures she pointed out that I was missing all the breaching whales, which for a while, were everywhere I wasn’t shooting. I did finally get a few shots and I have attached one for your use showing two humpback whales breaching simultaneously. It is evidence of all the activity we were able to enjoy.”

Two Humpbacks Breaching

What a great photo! Humpbacks were seen today north of Gualala.

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

Sunny, cool and calm today...the ocean is flat like a calm lake!

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Michele Melio saw this male, who is molting out of his breeding plumage. Two of his chicks were begging to be fed, but he temporarily ignores them while he preens.

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

Fog over the ocean with high clouds overhead - nice!

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Mike Petrich and Karen Wilkinson were looking for nature sightings near the P'da Hau, aka the Garcia River recently. Mike wrote, “We looked up towards the Point Arena Lighthouse and photographed a Caspian Tern playing with its food in mid-air! I assembled an image from a series of individual pictures while it dropped the fish, and caught it again several times"

I didn't know Caspian Terns would do this - so interesting to learn! Here's a close-up Mike took of the Tern:

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

Foggy mornings, with some high clouds overhead - it's nice and mild on the Mendonoma Coast today.

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Jon and Susan Sandoval heard a noise on their deck in Gualala about 8:30 pm. They found this female, adult Mountain Lion staring back at them.

Doesn't she look healthy and strong? It's a mystery why she was on the Sandoval's deck because they do not have house pets or animals such as chickens to attract her. Amazing! Maybe she was following the scent of a Deer, her favorite prey.

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

Lots of cooling, moist fog on the immediate coast today, keeping temperatures in the 60's - nice!

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Summer is when the Leopard Lilies bloom. Chris Pechal found this beauty recently.

Lilium pardalinum is their Scientific name and they are endemic to California. A legend warns that if you sniff these wildflowers, you will get freckles!

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

Fog over the ocean has kept the immediate coast very pleasant today and there is very little wind. As many other places are sweltering in high heat, I am always grateful for the summer fog that keeps the Mendonoma Coast cool.