Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Even while the southward migration of Gray Whales continues, the first northward-bound Grays have been seen. These are the newly pregnant females, and they are heading fast to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. They will be eating for two! Scott and Tree Mercer, of Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, saw their first northbound Gray on Tuesday around noon.

Here is a fun photo taken by Ken Bailey a while ago of what I believe are two Gray Whales, one spouting and the other diving, showing the tail.

Ken also photographed the barnacle-encrusted head of a Gray Whale.

Here is the migration map of the Gray Whales, a journey of about 5,000 miles, one way.

Pretty amazing!

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Ken's photography, including his wonderful underwater photography, here is the link: http://www.seadreams.org/

To follow the Mercers' daily posts of their sightings, here is the link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma-Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236/

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Kathy Bishop caught a Great Blue Heron with its mouth wide open. Who knew this is what a GBH's mouth looked like?!

Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma coast. They can be seen hunting rodents on grassy meadows, and standing in calm water, looking for a tasty fish.

Here's a fun photo of a GBH coming in for a landing, taken by Robert Scarola.

They are quite beautiful when they lift off, as you will see in this wonderful photo by Paul Brewer.

Thanks to Kathy, Robert and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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To celebrate the day of love, here are some hearts for you. First, heart-shaped rocks found on the Mendonoma coast, hand-painted by Jann Littleton.

And a driftwood heart, photographed by Craig Tooley.

A heart-shaped cave photographed by Kate Gelles.

And the heart-shaped blow of a Gray Whale, photographed by Carol Bogovich.

Happy Valentine's Day, from me to you!

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Ken and Martha Fischer went hiking on the north end of Manchester Beach with friends recently. Ken wrote, “We try to pick up plastic and glass debris, and Martha found this nice handmade glass fishing float, which looked like a bottle from a distance. A real gift from the sea! Too bad it can’t tell us about its travels.”

The California Current brings unexpected items from halfway around the world. Mel Smith has been collecting glass fishing floats for decades. Here is his collection of a lifetime, photographed by Craig Tooley.

Thanks to Ken and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Larain Matheson stopped on a trip down the coast to photograph this lovely sight through her windshield. You can see the Russian River entering the Pacific Ocean. And the headlands are draped in fog.

Highway One, with it's curves and cliffs, can be scary for some to drive. Many of us who live on the Mendonoma coast just resolve to take our time and enjoy the beautiful vistas.

This afternoon we are getting a little rain. As it hasn't rained in February before today, we are grateful for any wet stuff Mother Nature gives.

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