Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Craig Tooley spotted these two young White-tailed Kites recently, something we don't see very often.

I love these raptors. It's fun watching them hover in the air, looking for their favorite meal of small rodents. Here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to hear their chirping call: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

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

Sunny and mild today, though the Pacific Ocean is crashing, making a lot of noise!

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Jim Biller was thrilled to see this special frog - a frog that is federally listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Because of that, this frog is protected by law. Meet the California Red-legged Frog.

Jim wrote, “This guy posed for us in the host site at the Gualala Point Campground on Saturday night. I have more photos, different angles, and two witness statements from campers saying they saw me taking pictures of it.” We believe you, Jim! And we're happy to see this special frog.

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

The Pacific Ocean is telling us that our calm, dry weather is coming to an end. The waves were crashing today! We have several days of dry weather, making this weekend a perfect time to head to the Mendonoma coast. Starting next Tuesday, we are expecting the first big storm of the season. Hooray!

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Grace O’Malley in Timber Cove wrote, “The warm air last week brought out a kaleidoscope of butterflies, flitting and fluttering about in my flower beds. I was delighted to see a pair of Monarchs dating in flight, and then they landed together on a grassy bed, glued abdomen to abdomen. May she successfully locate the native milkweed to perpetuate life."I asked Monarch expert Mia Monroe about these butterflies mating in the autumn. She wrote, “Good to hear from you and with such good news. With this warm weather much is going on, like migration, and some seem frisky and mate. It’s not the best thing as it’s the wrong time of year. But that female can also make it through the winter and then in spring lay her eggs at the ‘right’ time.”

Interesting! Thanks to Grace for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Mary Keller noticed this stand-off between a Sierran Treefrog and an Alligator Lizard, both seemingly enjoying the sun.

Gary Nafis wrote that the little green frog must have been too big a meal for the lizard. So, maybe we should call this a peace on earth moment!

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

No power shutoff today, for which I am thankful. Slightly breezy, cool and sunny today.

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Red-shouldered Hawks are seen year-round here on the Mendonoma coast. They aren't a common sighting, like a Red-tailed Hawk, however. So it's always a treat to see one. Craig Tooley photographed one recently.

Craig also photographed the hawk we can usually see every day, a Red-tailed Hawk.

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

Sunny, breezy and cool here today. It looks like our portion of the coast will avoid a planned power outage on Wednesday Nov. 20. The rains can't come quick enough! Next week, according to the forecast.