Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Sea Stars, formerly called Starfish, are back, recovered from the wasting disease that decimated their numbers. Cece Case recently photographed three Ochre Stars off Cooks Beach in Gualala.

Peter Fimrite, of the San Francisco Chronicle, wrote about their miraculous recovery. He wrote, "The colorful invertebrates have undergone a remarkable genetic adaptation that is protecting them from the deadly pathogen, a new study has found." You can read Peter's entire article at this link: https://www.sfchronicle.com/science/article/Starfish-on-California-coast-nearly-wiped-out-by-13018262.php

It truly is wonderful news. With the Sea Stars absence, Sea Urchins proliferated, decimating the kelp beds. This led to Abalones starving. It is hoped...and expected...that with the Stars recovery, the intertidal zone of the Pacific Ocean will be more in balance.

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

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Cathleen Crosby looked out her window and found this Buck grazing. He lifted his head, with greens hanging out of his mouth, and perfectly posed for this photo.

His antlers nicely frame the suncatcher, don't they?!

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

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John Batchelder managed to photograph one of the fast, little CA Quail chicks he saw recently.

Quail families are being seen now. Several years ago George Anderson captured these newly hatched chicks.

And Clay Yale had two perch on saucer with water.

Here's a cute photo taken by Jon Loveless of the chicks following their mother.

The chicks are very vulnerable now, as they cannot yet fly. The number one predator of these chicks is the domestic house cat.

Thanks to John, George, Clay and Jon for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Esther Shain recently photographed two butterflies in her garden. First is a Pale Swallowtail.

And a California Sister.

I love butterflies. We see many different kinds here on the Mendonoma coast.

Thanks to Esther for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

It really warmed up today, warm and breezy.

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African animals in Point Arena? You bet! Here's what Judy Mello of the B Bryan Preserve says about their mission: "We are a private preserve actively committed to the breeding and preservation of African hoof Stock. Our various species of zebra, giraffe, and antelope range from critically endangered to endangered, and range in large, open fields on our property in Point Arena, California."

Here is Willie, as cute as he can be. Willie is a newborn Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, photo take by Judy.

Harm Wilkinson was driving by the preserve when he saw this scene - two newborn Sable Antelopes among the adults.

One of the young ones is partially obscured in Harm’s photo. I queried Judy Mello and she wrote, “Those are two girls, Liz and Eva. Also, now Carl has joined them.”

The Preserve has regular visiting hours, and several overnight accomodations. You can learn more at their website: https://www.bbryanpreserve.com/

Thanks to Judy and Harm for allowing me to share their photos with you here.