Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Craig Tooley recently found one of my favorite birds, the Pileated Woodpecker. I heard one calling in the Anchor Bay area this morning.

These prehistoric-looking birds are quite large - their wingspan can be 29 inches. The red streak on the woodpecker's cheek tell us this is a male. They have a very unique call, which you can hear at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/sounds

The folks at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology have created a fabulous, free app that you can upload to your smart phone. It's called the Merlin Bird ID  app, and I've been having so much fun with it! You hold your phone up to birdsong and the app identifies the bird, showing you a photo along with the name. You can find it at this link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/merlin-bird-id-by-cornell-lab/id773457673

The Merlin app is brilliant and sure to be a hit with youngsters too!

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

Today is simply lovely here on the Mendonoma Coast. Clear skies and a gentle breeze. Two Finback Whales were seen yesterday morning, which means there is a lot of feed - anchovies! - in the ocean. We're hoping to see our first Blue Whale of the season any day.

 

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Black-tailed Deer do swim, and they are occasionally seen in the Gualala River. Paul Brewer recently photographed four Does wading in the river.

Perhaps they were thirsty! The Gualala River looks beautiful now. Look how blue that water is!

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

It is a lovely day here on the Mendonoma Coast. Gentle breezes, temps in the 70s and the fog has been pushed way back. We are in for a warming trend for the next four or five days.

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Rozanne Rapozo was at Gualala Point Regional Park when she noticed this young Peregrine Falcon landing on the log. Looks like this fledgling has just begun his/her flying lessons.

There were two more fledgling falcons that were "play" fighting.

Welcome, young Peregrine Falcons!

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

We had more blessed rain this morning. The total from Monday and this morning's rain is 0.34 inches, so a nice third of an inch. As I type this at 3:21 pm, the fog is rolling in. You never know what the weather is going to be like! The forecast is for sunny and warmer days ahead.

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If you are looking for a wonderful gift that might inspire a youngster to fall in love with Nature, Illustrator Genny Wilson's and my children's books, Sunny Loves Spring on the California Coast and Sunny Loves Summer on the California Coast would fit the bill. Here is where you can see sample pages: http://sunnylovesnature.com/ You can order them directly from the Sunny website or from the Four-eyed Frog Bookstore,  707) 884-1333 or the Frog's website https://www.foureyedfrog.com/ Let them know how you would like the books inscribed, and I will be happy to head to the Frog and do that. The Frog will also mail them to your chosen recipient or to yourself.

Many adults have told me how much THEY enjoyed these two Sunny books. They told me how much they learned and how touching the books are. I guess one is never too old for a wonderful children's book!

Here are two pages from Spring:

And here are two pages from Summer:

These books have been a popular gift for baby showers, along with birthdays and holiday celebrations. The other two seasons will be out later this year.

Fall in love with Sunny...and Nature!

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Bill Oxford noticed a low fog approaching the part of The Sea Ranch where he lives. The sunbeams mixed with fog created these lovely photos.

Bill is a professional photographer and I always appreciate it when he shares his talent with Mendonoma Sightings. You can see much more of his photography at this link: https://www.billoxford.com/

Today the dawn brought...rain! Not a lot, but it's definitely rain, about a tenth of an inch.