Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Drew Fagan noticed this group of mushrooms on a stump at his Gualala area home. He put together this collage of what we think are Laughing Gym, Gymnopilus junonius, non-edible mushrooms.

You will see Drew labeled them as they aged. It's interesting that no animals ate these mushrooms. Perhaps they are toxic to animals too. It's also fun to note the grasses growing in Drew's collage. We've had a LOT of rain and the grasses are abundant and lush.

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

The rains have moved out for a few days, though it's still quite cold. It's nice to see sunshine today!

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Ron Bolander was at Gualala Point Regional Park photographing birds between storms. He found this gorgeous male American Kestrel. I love how one feather is lifted by the wind.

Ron also found a Bald Eagle soaring through the air.

ah, to be able to fly!

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

Today is very cold...brrr....and lightly raining. We added another .20 inch of rain yesterday for a season to date total of 33.85 inches. After tonight's rain, we are suppose to get a break until late Sunday. With the King Tides this weekend, and New Year's Eve, this weekend would be a great time to be here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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John Sheafe has a pretty good fish story for you today. He wrote, "This big fish is a six pound Copper Rockfish, aka Lingcod impersonator. My sweetie, Kathleen, was screaming up a storm. She was certain she was going to win the five dollar bet for catching the first Lingcod as the Copper Rockfish was fighting hard and taking line. Shortly thereafter I  had a similar experience. For me it was two Vermilion Rockfish I had on my line at the same time. In all my years, I have never caught two Vermilions at the same time.”

John told me his and Kathleen’s colorful catch was from a new, secret spot north of Gualala.

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

Today, Monday Dec. 27, is showery and VERY cold. Well, cold for the California coast! It's barely 40 degrees, breezy, with brief downpours, some with hail in them. Will it snow tonight? I will report back! We received 3/4 of an inch of rain overnight and the total season to date is 33.60 inches. I hear the drought breaking!

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I thought  you might enjoy this holiday wreath made up of Fly Amanita mushrooms, Amanita muscaria.

A lovely way to celebrate the holiday season!

Thanks to Paul and Carol for allowing me to share their creation and photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: https://www.paulkozal.com/ and if you are on the Mendonoma Coast, you can visit his gallery in Gualala: https://www.paulkozal.com/Visit-the-Gallery

We had a pretty strong storm overnight last night that brought 1.4 inches of rain. We sailed past 30 inches of rain so far this season, more than we had all of last season. Keep it coming, Mother Nature!

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Scott and Tree Mercer saw three Gray Whales swimming southward this past weekend, most likely pregnant females headed for the birthing lagoons off Baja. Many thousands to follow over the next two months.

Shari Goforth-Eby put together this visual on the most helpful way to photograph Gray Whales for possible identification. She would appreciate receiving any Gray Whale photos you may take in the weeks and months ahead. She is chronicling the resident Gray Whales.

Here's one of my favorite Gray Whale photos - a magnificent photo taken some years ago by Ron LeValley of a Gray Whale breaching.

Thanks to Shari and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To sent Shari your sightings, here is her email: go4thegrays@gmail.com To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

It's stormy and cold on the Mendonoma Coast today!