Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Chris Beach photographed the beautiful Cliff Swallows building nests on rocky cliffs. This sandstone looks perfect for multiple nests.

These swallows like to be in a group - no social distancing going on here! They build intricate nests out of mud in the shape of a gourd. This photo was taken some years ago by Robert Scarola.

Cliff Swallows will often use overpasses, the golf course tunnels at Sea Ranch, and even the Gualala Bridge. Rick and I were kayaking under the bridge when I discovered dozens and dozens of Cliff Swallow nests.

Here is a closer look at these beautiful birds. This photo was also taken by Robert Scarola.

These swallows eat lots and lots of insects every day.

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

It's raining here this afternoon, and the gentle rain feels like a balm.

Spring doesn't know...

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Ospreys nest on the Mendonoma Coast, and it's quite wonderful seeing them dive for fish. As many of the females are currently sitting on eggs, the male brings a fish back to the nest for her to feed. Sara Bogard saw an Osprey with what I believe is a Surf Perch.

Ospreys dive with their talons extended as they enter the ocean. Here's a dramatic photo Paul Brewer took several years ago of an Osprey snagging a fish.

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

We've had some nice, gentle rain, nearly an inch from the two storms. More to come but this afternoon is quite beautiful with dramatic clouds interspersed with sunshine.

Spring doesn't know...

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Eric Zetterholm photographed this sweet sight through his window last Monday.

Eric wrote, "This morning there was a mother deer with a fawn in our yard and I got
a couple cute pictures out the window of them. In one picture the
mother is licking the face of her little one. It reminded me of when
my mother would lick her handkerchief to wipe something from my face.
Very special to me because it's my mother's birthday and she would have
been 92 today."

I thought Eric's photos would be perfect for Mother's Day. Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share them with you.

Foggy start to the day but the sunshine returned. Much cooler and we have rain coming in tomorrow morning. We need it.

Spring doesn't know...

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I hear these little wrens singing in the forest, but I rarely see them. It looks like this Pacific Wren posed for Craig Tooley, singing his beautiful, complex call.

Perhaps the wren didn't like being disturbed by the camera action, because he looks rather miffed in this photo!

To hear the call of a Pacific Wren, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pacific_Wren/sounds

This website advises looking - and listening - for these birds in the early morning for your best chance to see them. I just enjoy hearing their singing as I walk along a forest path.

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

Our mini heatwave is over; fog rolled in overnight. But it pulled back to the ocean, revealing a beautiful, cool day. More wildflowers are appearing, including a group of Gnome Plants that grow on our property. I will be sharing some photos of them soon.

Spring doesn't know...

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Mark Olson recently photographed an adult Black-tailed Jackrabbit. These big rabbits are usually moving, so it's fun to see one resting for a moment in the sun.

Last week I watched as two adult Black-tailed Jackrabbits appeared from dense foliage on a neighboring property. They were then followed by a juvenile. These jackrabbits, also called American Desert Hares, usually have two to four young. And, boy, can they move fast!

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

Heat wave! The temperatures kicked up today. It's a sunny, warm day with the Pacific Ocean sparkling in the afternoon light.