Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Karen Wilkinson and Mike Petrich headed out to a tide pool with a UV flashlight at sunset during a recent low tide. They found a group of Sea Anemones shining with light. Karen wrote, “Things got weird on the edge of the Pacific last night! Scientists have found that the protein that helps Anemones light up also acts as a natural sunscreen. This protein allows Sea Anemones to protect their symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, living in their tissues from harmful UV rays. The fluorescence we see may be a by-product of their natural sunscreen.”

I wondered if Karen and Mike had photographed bioluminescence but Bob Van Syoc wrote, “I’d call this fluorescence, which is a form of luminescence. The Anthopleura Anemones in Karen’s and Mike’s photos have absorbed light from their flashlight and are emitting a longer, lower energy wavelength of light that makes them ‘glow.’”

Aren't they beautiful? Thanks to Karen and Mike for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The fog rolled in, as it is wont to do, and cooled things off quite a bit.

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Sunbeams through the trees can be a work of art, a work of art by Mother Nature. Shirley Mitchell photographed this beautiful sight.

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

It's a beautiful Spring day on the Mendonoma Coast today. No clouds, a slight breeze and temps in the high sixties. Nice!

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Sara Bogard found this yearling Harbor Seal snoozing on the rocks off the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula.

This seal looks pretty content and relaxed. Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

We are having a lovely, sunny day with very little wind.

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Ron Champoux photographed a beautiful rainbow over The Sea Ranch after the last storm.

There is sure to be a pot of gold on those rocks!

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

ooo, it's windy today. Real windy. It's the kind of day you don't bother worrying about your hair. A friend calls this "egg beater hair."

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Mike Mayda saw this Pygmy Owl standing in front of a glass partition. It's fun to see the reflection of this little owl too.

Mike shooed the owl to safety after taking this photo.

Pygmy Owls hunt songbirds. I have seen one perch on our railing next to a bird feeder, looking for an easy meal. They have "fake" or false eyes on the back of their heads. I took this photo of the back of the head. Don't they look real?

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

Thursday brought a rainstorm, perhaps the last for a while. Today, Friday, is a beautiful day with clouds drifting by. Tomorrow, Saturday, is the first day of Spring. Happy Spring to you all!