Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Steve Coffey-Smith was watching the fun from the Gualala Bluff Trail recently. Brown pelicans were coming in for a landing. So graceful in the air, they can be downright clumsy as they land, webbed feet stretched out. You will be hard pressed not to laugh.

Version 2Here's one of my favorite pelican photos. Craig Tooley photographed a Brown pelican about to land. Was it a smooth landing or did this pelican do a pratfall? Only Craig knows. This photo appears in our book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year, in the November chapter.brown-pelican-pelecanus-occidentalis-coming-in-for-a-landing-nov-by-craig-tooleyah, we love the wonderful Brown pelicans. They were on the Endangered Species List because of the pesticide DDT. It made their eggshells so thin that the shells broke when the mother sat on them. With the banning of DDT in the 1960's, these birds have recovered, so much so that they are no longer listed on the ESL.

Thanks to Steve and Craig 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

 

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Peter Baye noticed this Great Blue Heron in an unusual position. It was sitting in a grassy meadow with its wings extended. We think the heron was doing this to cool off.

great-blue-heron-with-wings-spread-by-peter-bayeAnd here's a photo taken by Robert Scarola of a Great Blue Heron looking for a meal.

great-blue-heron-searching-for-a-meal-by-robert-scarolaGreat Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

Thanks to Peter and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Paul Kozal had to get a new camera after losing his previous one when a wave came in and knocked it down into a tide pool, breaking it. Such are the hazards of a professional photographer here on the Mendonoma Coast. For compensation, Paul captured this beautiful photo of Friday's sunset taken from a sea cave.

friday-nights-sunset-by-paul-kozalIt's a pleasure to be able to share such beauty, and I thank Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.paulkozal.com/

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Rozann Grunig found this Crab Spider in her rain gauge. She has a very large egg sac. Rozann is going to keep watch of this spider and her eggs.

goldenrod-crab-spider-with-her-egg-sac-by-rozann-grunig Goldenrod Crab spiders have the ability to change their color from white to yellow. Kalynn Funk photographed one with the bee it nabbed for its dinner.

goldenrod-crab-spider-eating-a-bee-by-kalynn-funkThese spiders are harmless, unless you happen to be a bee!

Thanks to Rozann and Kalynn for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see Rozann's nature photography, here is her website: http://highway1designs.com/

 

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This Bobcat was very well camouflaged in the tall grasses but Peter Cracknell still noticed it.camouflaged-bobcat-by-peter-cracknell camouflaged-bobcat-2-by-peter-cracknell In the second photo, the Bobcat has its eyes nearly closed. The sun must feel good!

It's much cooler on the coast today. Fog is hugging the immediate coastline, bringing a welcome coolness after the heat wave.

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