Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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On July 13th,  Paul Thompson photographed the lovely sight of Saturn glowing a golden color next to the larger Jupiter, with the Milky Way splashed across the sky.

Paul wrote, “Two planets from our solar system can be seen, the brightest is Jupiter, and Saturn a bit to the left. We also see the distinctive shape of the Milky Way, actually our own galaxy viewed from the middle outward. This photo was taken down-coast from the North end of Sea Ranch, the yellow glow is from Santa Rosa street lights.”

The Mendonoma Coast is known for its lack of light pollution, giving photographed and star gazers a chance to see such a beautiful sight.

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

Another foggy day on the immediate coast, pulling back in the mid-afternoon. Must be summer!

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Comet NEOWISE can be seen in the northwestern sky after sunset now. It is under the Big Dipper and rising. Paul Kozal photographed this beautiful sight - the comet and the Point Arena Lighthouse  below. With the dramatic bluffs, rocks and the Pacific Ocean, it doesn't get much better than this!

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, here is his website: http://www.paulkozal.com/

Or visit his gallery at the Cypress Center in Gualala!

A very foggy day today but I could see blue sky up on the ridge. But it's mild with no wind and I can hear the Sea Lions barking on Fish Rocks as I type this. Nice!

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I'll let Shari tell the story. She wrote, “On Monday [of last week], Scott Mercer, of Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, told me that during his survey he had seen two Gray Whales foraging near the Point Arena Lighthouse, and they were there when he left just 30 minutes before. I drove to the Lighthouse, watched, and saw a blow.  A whale was still there."

“The whale was close enough that, though I had to crop my photos heavily to increase the size, they were sharp enough to see detail, so I texted them to Scott. I was surprised when he texted back that he had sent them to a researcher in Washington, who replied immediately.  The whale is somebody!  It’s CRC-6, first photographed in the Straits of Juan De Fuca in 1986.

“That makes it older than 34 years old [they can live 40-60 years]; it escaped a boat collision, but sustained boat propeller injuries on its left side, and has rope scars on its right side where it escaped entanglement in fishing gear.  It apparently has not migrated, since most Gray Whales should be in Alaskan waters feeding and storing resources for the winter migration to Mexican lagoons.  CRC-6 may be a ‘resident,’ a local Gray Whale, at least for a while.”

Scott later learned this whale is a female. She's been seen with a calf in the past. What stories she could tell us if we only knew her language!

Thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

The morning fog quickly gave way to a sunny, mild day.

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Several people have sent in photos of CA Quail chicks. One is Craig Tooley.

And Jon Loveless saw a family too. I count 11 balls of feathers. Jon said there were 13 in all.

Here's a close-up of a male by Michael Reinhart. Such beautiful birds...

Thanks to Craig, Jon and Michael for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Drippy fog this morning has evolved into brilliant sunshine this afternoon. Summer on the Mendonoma Coast!

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Karen Wilkinson heard a River Otter pup calling for its mother. When Karen carefully scooted over to the bluff edge to take a look, this River Otter looked back up at her.

What do you think this little one is saying to Karen?

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

Another foggy day, though the fog is high this afternoon, and 62 degrees. It's calming!