Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Rick Denniston photographed this Bald Eagle eating what looks like a large lizard. The light wasn't good for the photo, Rick said.

I sent Rick's photo to reptile expert Gary Nafis. He wrote,

"I don't know what it is. I'm not sure it's a lizard, and I don't think it's the tail end of a snake. I can't see any legs and the light thing hanging down over the branch doesn't look like one. The largest lizards in your area are alligator lizards, but if an eagle's talons are two inches long as I've read, then it's too large to be an alligator lizard. If it is a lizard, it would have to be an escaped pet. If it's a rodent, I don't think the eagle would be eating the tail end. Raptors have been seen eating salamanders, too, but the tail is also wrong for a giant salamander."
Do you have any idea what the Bald Eagle is eating?
Thanks to Rick for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Ooo, we are having wild weather - rain, hail, sunshine, more rain hail, sunshine...a wait five minutes kind of day. We had a 1/2 inch of rain this morning in a short period of time. More coming in late this afternoon.

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Red-shouldered Hawks are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast, and it's always a treat to see and hear one. Craig Tooley recently photographed one of these beautiful hawks at the moment it took flight near the Gualala River.

Heidi Horvitz photographed a Red-shouldered Hawk that makes its home in the Timber Cove area. She said this hawk is very vocal!

To hear the calls of a Red-shouldered Hawk, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/sounds

Thanks to Craig and Heidi for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

We received 1.2 inches of rain overnight Friday, a nice soaking. Today, Sunday, is sunny and breezy, a beautiful day. More rain coming in tomorrow. Wildflower alert: The first Calypso Orchids are up!

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Thane Frivold sent in the first photo of Douglas Iris in bloom, always a happy sighting.

On a trip down Highway One yesterday, I saw many California Poppies beginning their long bloom.

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

We have rain late Friday. It's been a while since we've seen the wet stuff, so it is very welcome.

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Wayne Smith photographed this beauty, which we believe is a Giant Puffball.

Barbara Thrush photographed a Short-stemmed Russula.

There is beauty in the fungus that appears after some rain. It's been too dry this past week for many mushrooms to appear, but that looks to be changing, starting Friday.

Thanks to Wayne and Barbara for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Today is sunny and mild. Last night's sunset was so beautiful. Okay, bonus photo! Taken by me last night.

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A tiny duck with a big head, meet this beautiful male Bufflehead. Ron Bolander found this duck flying over the Gualala River.

Buffleheads nest in woodpecker cavities, especially those made by Northern Flickers. Smart! To hear their quiet calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bufflehead/sounds

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

We are having a sunny, calm day. Rain is moving back into the picture beginning on Friday, thank goodness, but for now the living is easy on the Mendonoma Coast.