Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Finally! What many of us have been watching and waiting for has been photographed by Eric Zetterholm. One of the two Bald Eagles seen most days near the Gualala River was spotted flying with a large stick covered in lichen – nesting materials. This photo was featured on page one of last week's edition of the Independent Coast Observer.

Eric wrote, “I’d like to share with you a couple of pictures I took Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, of one of the Gualala Bald Eagles as it flew past Gualala Point Regional Park carrying a large stick – for its nest? I was able to watch the eagle get past a pair of Common Ravens who were interested in its clutch, and fly well up river and south over the treetops.”

Last year we watched as the Bald Eagles mated numerous times; one photo was labeled, “Get a room, Bald Eagles!” But we saw no signs of nest building. Bald Eagles nest quite early in the year, so we have hopes that these two Bald Eagles are building a nest in the watershed of the Gualala River.

Thanks to Eric for his good news and for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

ooo, we had a pretty darn vigorous storm hit in the night and it rained hard until early this afternoon. The creek that crosses our land is gloriously pumped up now - a joyous sight!

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Scott and Tree Mercer, of the Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, sit out on the bluffs near the Point Arena Lighthouse most days, looking for Gray Whales and other marine life. The beginning of the southward bound Gray Whale migration was late this year, which caused concern. But yesterday, and again today, Gray Whales are passing by in big numbers. Yesterday the Mercers spotted 63 Grays Whales, and today by 2:00 p.m. they have seen 42. Here's an aerial photo of three migrating Gray Whales taken by Craig Tooley several years ago.

Here's a panoramic view of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands taken by Peggy Berryhill. It's a great place to whale watch!

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

You can follow the Mercer's daily posts on their Facebook page, which is: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236/

Quite cloudy today, temps in the low 50s. Rain coming late tomorrow.

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Eric Zetterholm was out photographed the Bald Eagles when he saw this North American River Otter running across the sand bar.

Eric took this photo a while ago of two River Otters at the river, one looking right at him!

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

We had a nice big, wet storm come through yesterday. We had almost two inches in our rain gauge. Cold air came in behind the storm. We're such wimps here in Northern California that we think 45 degrees is way too cold!

Last night's sunset was quite beautiful. Here's my photo, take from our deck in Anchor Bay. Pretty dramatic, don't you think?!

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Abalones are struggling. The voracious Purple Sea Urchins are eating the Abalones' food source, which is kelp. To survive, Abalones have moved closer to shore, which brings problems for them too. But the Urchins can't survive in the wave action, so the Abalones have a measure of safety there - unless big surf knocks them up on the beach. Marilyn Green recently photographed a group of them during a recent low tide.

 

We see signs of imbalance in the ocean. And we also see signs of balance returning, like seeing more Sea Stars. We will continue to watch and learn.

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

Today is a rainbow day, and tomorrow brings a big storm for late in the day. As I type this, I can see a storm cloud on the ocean, dark with rain, and headed my way! Not a good time to take a walk.

 

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Several people have reported seeing these beautiful little warblers. Craig Tooley found a Townsend's Warbler recently.

Bob Rutemoeller got a couple of photos of Townsend's Warblers at the Gualala Bluff Trail.

These small warblers breed to our north, but we get to see them this time of year as they overwinter on the coast. They forage for insects, usually high in tree tops. They have a distinctive, high-pitched call, which you can listen to at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Townsends_Warbler/sounds

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

The King Tides are happening now through Sunday, larger than normal high tides. That means minus tides to balance out the equation. Minus tides give you a window into tide pools usually covered in water.

Sunny, cool weather with rain coming in tonight. I love winter!