Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Mike Petrich was at Black Point Beach on The Sea Ranch on Sunday. Bottlenose Dolphins had been spotted and a few people were called to photograph them. Keeping at least six feet from others, Mike got a very interesting photo with a surfer catching a wave, and three of these dolphins underneath him!

I wonder if the surfer saw the dolphins. What a fun photo!

Bottlenose Dolphins are expanding their territory northward, and we are seeing them more often. I think these dolphins were the original surfers, and they sure seem to enjoy surfing the waves.

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

Brisk, sunny with clouds, with rain coming in later tonight. We need it, we welcome it!

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It was a stunning day yesterday when Bill Oxford went out to do some videoing. The sunset was stellar too. This was taken at The Sea Ranch.

Bill wrote, "Initially, I was just doing a location-scout with my iPhone and planned to return with my video equipment the next day, but was happy with the footage I got. My purpose was to share on Facebook to encourage people to get outside and let nature re-ground them. The Covid 19 global pandemic is very stressful. Hopefully, this video will help relieve some of that stress and get minds off of the virus for awhile."

Courtesy of Bill, here is the link to his video: https://vimeo.com/399716768

Thanks to Bill for allowing me to share his photo and video. To see more of Bill's photography, here is the link: http://searanchphotos.com/

The storm that was forecast apparently went to the south of us. So we were gifted with another sunny, warm day. Spring doesn't know...

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Calypso Orchids, Calypso bulbosa, are blooming in undisturbed forests now. Craig Tooley recently photographed one.

Don't be fooled by Craig's extreme close-up - these native wildflowers are very tiny, only about three inches high. Notice the leaf on the left of the flower. It is easier to spot as it lays nearly flat on the forest floor. These wildflowers need a fungus in the soil to thrive so they can not be transplanted. They are also called Fairy Slippers or Venus's Slippers.

This morning Rick and I walked our neighbor's property where a handful grow. Yes, Lonnie and Bob, they are blooming now!

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

Absolutely lovely day with blue skies and a gentle breeze. Gray Whale spouts can be seen over the serene Pacific Ocean. Things are to change tomorrow with the promise of rain.

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After listening to the news early Monday morning, my heart was heavy. I went over to the spotting scope that is trained on an Osprey nest. I was so happy to see the mated pair of Ospreys had returned. Since Monday, they have been diligently rebuilding the reinforcing the nest. Today, while taking a walk on our property, the sounds of Osprey calls filled the air. There were four Ospreys wheeling in the air, a delightful way to start the first day of Spring.

Yes, these photos are not as good as I usually post, right? Because I took them! Here's a close-up of an Osprey, taken by photographer Paul Brewer in a previous year.

I find comfort that the Ospreys have returned to the Mendonoma Coast where they find tall trees for their nests, and abundant fish to feed themselves and their future chicks. Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

To hear the whistling calls of Ospreys, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/sounds

You can see from my two photos that today is sunny. It's also warmer, 62 degrees this afternoon.

Spring doesn't know...

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The beauty of nature will help us get through this time. Here is a photo of the Gualala River, the sandbar currently blocking the river mouth, and the Pacific Ocean. The clouds are reflected in the river in this photo taken by Shari Goforth-Eby.

From a friend in Europe. Translated from Italian:
It was March 2020...
The streets were empty, stores were closed, people couldn't go out anymore.
But spring didn't know, and the flowers began to bloom, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, swallows would soon arrive, the sky was blue, morning was coming early.
It was March 2020...
Young people had to study online, and work from home, people couldn't shop anymore, or go to the hairdresser. Soon there would be no room in hospitals, and people continued to get sick.
But spring didn't know, it was time to go to the garden, the grass was growing.
It was March 2020...
People were put on lock down to protect grandparents, families and children. No more reunions or eating out or family parties. Fear had become real and the days all looked alike.
But spring didn't know. Apple trees, cherry trees and others grew; the leaves grew.
People started reading, playing with family, learning a language, singing on the balcony and inviting neighbors to do the same; they learned a new language, became supportive and focused on other values.
People realized the importance of health and of the suffering, of this world that had stopped, of the economy that fell down.
But spring didn't know. The flowers left their place for fruits, the birds made their nests, swallows arrived.
Then release day came, people saw it on TV, the virus had lost, people went down the street, sang, crying, kissing their neighbors, without masks or gloves.
And that's when summer came, because spring didn't know. She continued to be there despite everything, despite the virus, fear and death. Because spring didn't know, she taught people the power of life.
Everything will be alright, stay home, protect yourself, and you will enjoy life.
Thanks to Drew Fagan for sending me this moving essay and thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Mendocino County was put on lock down, shelter in place, today. Tomorrow is the first day of spring. We will get through this.