Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Betsy Anderson came across this unusual Douglas Iris a few weeks ago. I never seen an Iris with four petals.

Amy Ruegg took a look at Betsy's photo and wrote, “This Iris looks to me to be a deformed Douglas Iris with extra tepals. In horticulture, cultivating for more petals than normal in a flower is desirable. I have seen this happen in other species on occasion. I have also seen an unusual trillium with four leaves. Perhaps it’s the four leaf clover of the Iris blossom!”

Here's a look at a "normal" Douglas Iris, taken by Craig Tooley.

It's possible the warm weather we had this past winter might have prompted this anomaly. Here's a look at the Trillium Amy mentioned.

Sometimes Mother Nature is just having fun! Thanks to Betsy, Amy and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Clouds are pouring in as another storm is headed our way. Precursor showers arrived late this afternoon. My season to date rain total is 46.60 inches. A "normal" year is 50 inches so things are looking good here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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I have two x-rated sightings for you. After all, it is Spring and love is in the air. Chris Pechal wrote, "Birds do it, bees do it, and apparently if you are lucky, you might see butterflies doing it. I ran across these Margined White Butterflies mating." Chris found these butterflies at The Sea Ranch, perched on a Foget-Me-Not blossom.

Sara Bogard photographed a pair of Black Oystercatchers mating on the bluffs of the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula.

While not actual mating, I did see a mating dance. Just after dawn on Tuesday, I saw a male Anna’s Hummingbird rise high in the sky, then plummet down, pulling up before he crash landed, then hovering in front of a tree, giving out a chirp that I’ve learned comes from his tail feathers. He was performing his mating dance to a female perched in the tree. As I watched, he performed his dance several more times. I hope she was as impressed as I was.

Thanks to Chris and Sara for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy beautiful day on the Mendonoma Coast. More rain coming in tomorrow afternoon, Monday, according to the predictors!

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Before dusk yesterday, the Gualala River was full nearly to the brim. It looked like it could open at any time. This morning the river was open and Rozanne Rapozo photographed it. Notice the Bald Eagle on the north side of the sandbar.

Those Steelhead I showed you yesterday have surely exited the river, entering their next journey in the Pacific Ocean. Hooray!

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

Another storm is forecast for tonight. Bring it, Mother Nature!

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Chris Braley spotted a group of Steelhead in the lagoon of the Gualala River last week. The river has been closed to the Pacific Ocean by a big sandbar for many weeks, perhaps two months.

We think these are adults who have already spawned. Steelhead often don't die after spawning, and they return to the ocean after spawning where there is more food for them. Rozanne Rapozo had her long lens on her camera the day after Chris took her photo. Rozanne was only able to get two in her photograph but what a great look at these endangered fish.

We have had a lot of rain overnight and continuing today. It's very possible the Gualala River will breach the sandbar, possibly today. When that happens, these Steelhead will be on to the  next phase of their lives. Live long and prosper, Steelhead!

Thanks to Chris and Rozanne for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

There was a wonderful two inches of rain in the gauge at our house this morning and it's continued to rain. 41.85 inches season to date, with "normal" rain being 50 inches. These storms are a gift for us all from Mother Nature, including the Steelhead.

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Eric Zetterholm almost couldn't believe what he was seeing. Driving home after work recently, he spotted this Coyote.

We don't see Coyotes often on the coast, but one occasionally appears. We're lucky Eric had his camera at the ready to show us this healthy-looking Coyote.

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