Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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It's a Mendonoma Coast tradition to watch the sunset. Dan Laux recently photographed this beautiful sight from behind Surf Supermarket in Gualala. That's the Gualala River in the foreground, bathed in pinks and purples.

Sometimes you can hardly believe your eyes when you see the magnificence of a coast sunset!

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

It's sunny, mild and windy today. The ocean is a sea of whitecaps this afternoon. There are probably Gray Whales swimming northward today but it's nearly impossible to make out their blows against the turbulent ocean. We are waiting for the first mother/calf Gray Whale sighting. It could be soon!

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Michael Reinhart wrote, “I looked out the window and saw a VERY large bird circling low over the water – an immature Bald Eagle. While grabbing my camera, I noticed that there was a gull on the water under the eagle. The eagle attacked, picking up the gull, and flew off adjusting its prey in its talons.

Another gull [a Western Gull] made a few dives at the eagle, but the eagle kept going and disappeared around the cliff.”

Mike caught sight of the juvenile Bald Eagle on a bluff where he/she presumably finished off his or her meal.

It is heartening to see the recovery of Bald Eagles. As their numbers increased, they began expanding their territory northward along the coast. First we saw a pair in Jenner, and then two years later, the Gualala Bald Eagles arrived. Could this young one be last year's offspring of the Gualala pair? Maybe!

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

It's sunny and breezy today, and achingly beautiful!

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Michael Reinhart noticed this Common Loon with something tasty, perhaps a mollusk.

Theses birds are excellent swimmers and they can fly fast too, up to 70 MPH when migrating. They have such incredible calls which you can listen to at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/sounds Click on the second recording to hear the ethereal call. wow...

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

Sunday/Monday's rain total was 1.15 inches, a nice soaking for the wildflowers and other plants! I swear I can hear the wildflowers singing today. It's breezy today, with a big fog bank over the ocean, clouds overhead mixed with brilliant sunshine. Something for nearly everyone!

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Cathleen Crosby recently photographed the Gualala River -  it now sports a greenish tinge.

The river is still closed to the Pacific Ocean by the large sandbar and it has turned a beautiful green. I’ve learned from fly fisherman Charlie Ivor that this is called “Steelhead green,” and it means conditions for finding fish in the river can be excellent. Phytoplankton, single cell algae, along with a small amount of suspended mineral sediment, are turning the river water green. It’s very beneficial, helping to feed fish and other river inhabitants.

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

We are waiting for a pretty good-sized storm which is supposed to begin around 4 pm. We'll take it! I'll report soon on the rain totals. I'll also be watching to see if this storm opens the river to the ocean. TBD!

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Ron Bolander noticed this Bobcat sitting in the sun.

And then the cat with the bobbed tail heard something.

The Bobcat stealthily approached a gopher hole.

And then, he/she put its head in the gopher hole.

 

And drug out a very large gopher. Poor gopher! But this is the food chain in action. The Bobcat then took his meal off into the bushes.

Did you know a Bobcat's markings, the spots and lines of its coat, are unique to each animal? Just like our fingerprints.

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

It's a little cooler today, especially close to the ocean, and a breeze has picked up. Sunny skies are the order of the day. Happy Spring!