Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Mary Sue Ittner found Footsteps of Spring, Sanicula arctopoides, blooming on coastal bluffs recently, especially at Salt Point State Park.

Here's a photo Mary Sue took of her friends at the park, hiking through the yellow wildflowers.

And look at those blue skies - they had a perfect morning for their hike.

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

After Saturday morning's early rain (.15 inch), Sunday is clear and quite windy. The ocean looks like a whirlpool bath according to whale researcher, Shari Goforth-Eby. Hard to see whale spouts with all those whitecaps. Happy first day of Spring if you are in the Northern Hemisphere!

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Maria Wilson took a three minute video of many dolphins last Saturday. Maria wrote, “I took this Saturday morning. It finishes with a whale joining the gang! We live near Iversen Point [north of Gualala] and this was just outside Island Cove.” I sent Maria’s video to Bill Keener of the Marine Mammal Center. He wrote, “Cool video of a large group of Risso’s Dolphins. And that looks like a Gray Whale surfacing near the end of the clip.”

In the video you will see a few of the dolphins breaching. Here is a photo Craig Tooley took of Risso's Dolphins a while ago.

They are known for traveling in big pods - they must like each other's company!

Thanks to Maria for allowing me to share her video and 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

It's a beautiful day, breezy and mild. We received .60 inches of rain Monday night, which was wonderful. 37.50 inches season to date at my place. 50 inches is a "normal" rainfall year.

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Paul Brewer photographed the sunrise off his Gualala home, showing some of the Douglas Iris in bloom on the bluff.

And Grace O'Malley photographed the sunset  in Timber Cove. Just looks at those luscious colors!

Good morning and good night!

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

Today is cloudy and chilly, with a chance of some of that wet stuff we've been missing so much.

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This Peregrine Falcon was apparently enjoying the sun in Gualala as he perched in one spot for quite a while. Shari Goforth was there with her camera in hand.

I haven't had any reports of nesting Peregrines...yet! Peregrine Falcons are strong and fast fliers. They prey on smaller birds. In their swooping dive from above, they can reach speeds of up to 200 mph!

To hear their call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/sounds

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

It was cold overnight, but today has a bright blue sky, and temps in the low 60s. There is some rain in our forecast, and I hope it manifests!

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Tricia Schuster found the non-native Iceplant in full, glorious bloom recently.

The flowers set off the beautiful Pacific Ocean, don't they?

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

We are having a magnificent, warm day. The breeze picked up late in the morning, but with the early morning calm I spotted several Gray Whales headed north.