Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Ron LeValley spotted what he believes was a young Elephant Seal molting.

Ron reports that the seal left after three days on the beach.

Here's a male Elephant Seal - notice the big proboscis [snout]! - seen some years ago north of Anchor Bay. Frank Jackson got this photo. I hope he used his long lens, as it isn't a good idea to get close to one of these big guys. They can move surprisingly fast when they want to!

Thanks to Ron and Frank for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

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We continue to observe the two mated Bald Eagles near the mouth of the Gualala River. Several weeks ago a juvenile Bald Eagle was spotted on The Sea Ranch. Bryant Hichwa got this photo of the young eagle, which is also called an immature Bald Eagle.

It's wonderful to see these birds continue to recover from pesticide poisoning and other hardships. They are our national emblem.

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

We are have another wait-five-minutes kind of day - showers followed by brilliant sunshine with a cloud show to savor!

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Kathy Bishop recently photographed this White-tailed Kite. Kathy wrote,

“I was watching an elegant pair of White-tailed Kites skimming a pasture near Manchester when one glided toward me and settled to take a break.”

They mostly eat small mammals. I have seen one hunting at Gualala Point Regional Park. They have the ability to hover in the air. Here is what allaboutbirds.org says about White-tailed Kites: "While hunting, the White-tailed Kite characteristically hovers up to 80 feet off the ground and then drops straight down onto prey items. This ability to hold a stationary position in midair without flapping is accomplished by facing into the wind, and is so characteristic of these birds that it has come to be called kiting. White-tailed Kites also perform ritualized courtship displays in which a male offers prey to a female prior to egg laying. In an often spectacular aerial exchange, the female flies up to meet the male, turns upside-down, and grasps the prey."

Siegfried Matull once witnessed this ritualized courtship and photographed this amazing sight as the male brought a vole to his mate.

White-tailed Kites are year round residents of the Mendonoma coast. Their call is whistle-like and you can hear it here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

Thanks to Kathy and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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There have been numerous sightings of this bull Elk, most often seen near the town of Elk, appropriately enough. Paul Brewer recently spotted him south of Elk. Here the Elk is resting amidst some domestic cows.

I sure hope he doesn't think these domestic cows are his harem!

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

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Finally, after no rain for February, we are finally getting a little bit of the wet stuff. This morning came with beautiful rainbows. I took this photo from our deck in Anchor Bay.

Cold air came in today, and temperatures are in the forties. That's cold for the coast! oh, I can hear people living in cold climes laughing at me for saying the forties are cold.

We have more rain in our forecast. Today has been a "wait five minutes" kind of day. Brilliant sunshine, brief downpours and windy. Lots of visitors are here for the three-day holiday. They are getting quite a show.