Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Are you afraid of arachnids? Craig Tooley isn’t. He wrote, “The Harvestmen are back. They’ve actually been back for over four months. I just had not gotten out to get any pictures. They are really quite amazing, though I’m not sure exactly what they are eating.”

Craig’s photo shows a cluster of Harvestmen, a non-venomous arachnid also called Daddy long-legs. They are actually quite beneficial to a house. They are omnivores, eating insects, other spiders, aphids, dead insects, fungus, and more. They form clusters for protection.

Craig got a close-up of a couple of Harvestmen. He found the lead one was smiling at him!

Hope this photo makes you smile!

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

It's a stunning day on the Mendonoma coast. We are sad, though, that all the beaches and parks have been closed. Even the Point Arena Pier closed to everyone except the fishermen with boats. We'll get through this...together.

Spring doesn't know...

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Sara Bogard was doing her weekly Harbor Seal survey at the bluffs near the Point Arena Lighthouse when she saw this Bald Eagle with its dinner. A Common Raven looks on, but this Bald Eagle - like most, I believe - won't share.

One of my favorite photos of the Gualala Bald Eagles is this one taken by Eric Zetterholm.

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

The storm moved on, leaving us with a breezy, drifting clouds kind of day.

Spring doesn't know...

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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.