Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Spiders are associated with Halloween so I thought I'd share a recent photo of a scary-looking Orb Weaver. Kathy Gustafson photographed this spider. She and I believe it is a Pumpkin Orb Weaver.

Pumpkin Orb Weaver Spider by Kathy Gustafson

Even though it looks pretty scary, it's a good guy in the spider world. Harmless to humans, orb weavers build beautiful webs.

Rozann Grunig recently photographer spider webs, highlighted by morning dew. They may well have been built by orb weaver spiders.

Spider Webs by Rozann Grunig

Here's a photo of spider web jewels taken by Craig Tooley. It is in Craig's and my beautiful book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year.

Rivers

Thanks to Kathy, Rozann, and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's beautiful nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Jason McKinney found this fellow in his tool bucket. I sent Jason's photo to Gary Nafis. Gary has a fabulous website called California Herps, a guide to California amphibians and reptiles - http://www.californiaherps.com/index.html  Gary identified Jason's lizard as a male Northwestern Fence Lizard. Females do not have this much color.

Male Northwestern Fence Lizard by Jason McKinney

Fence Lizards eat spiders and insects. Thanks to Jason for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Gualala Point Regional Park has so many wonderful aspects to it. It's one of my favorite parks to walk with Rick and our golden retriever, Sunny, which is what we did today. With the King Tides, the ocean was roiled up and big breakers crashed against bluffs and the sandy beach.

Wendy Bailey walked there recently and she was taken by the autumn grasses, which she entitled amber waves of grain.

Amber waves of grain - Gualala Point Regional Park by Wendy Bailey

The Gualala River lagoon has filled up in recent days. At high tide the ocean is spilling over the sandbar that has the river closed. And we've had several small rain events. It's quite kayak-able right now and this weekend could be the perfect time to get in a trip on the river.

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

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John Batchelder was watching Sea Lions rafting and feeding recently when three Humpback Whales showed up. One breached as John was ready with his camera.

Whale breach near Shell Beach

And here's where the whale hit the water. Notice the birds nearby - these are extremely rare Black-vented Shearwaters.

Whale breach near Shell Beach

Here's a photo where John shows the three Humpbacks.

Counting the Humpbacks by John BatchelderJohn's photos were sent to Cascadia Research to help further their knowledge of these beautiful cetaceans.

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

 

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Great Blue Herons walk with a stately grace. And seeing one fly, with its slow wing beats, is a treat. Martin  and Rene Steinpress recently saw one on a bluff on The Sea Ranch while they were walking on one of the public access trails.

A Great Blue Heron on the bluff by Martin Steinpress Great Blue Heron by Martin Steinpress

Great Blue Herons eat small mammals, and they eat fish too. Here is one of my favorite photos of a GBH, just taking off from the water. This photo was taken by Paul Brewer.

And we have liftoff - a Great Blue Heron by Paul Brewer

Thanks to Martin and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.capturingnatureswonders.com