Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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It's always a treat to see a Red-shouldered Hawk. Mark Simkins recently photographed a young one near Manchester sitting on a fence post.

A juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk by Mark Simkins

And Robert Scarola spotted a juvenile in the Sea Ranch area. These hawks are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk by Robert Scarola

Robert also photographed this forest hawk on a rainy day and the bird doesn't look pleased!

Juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk in Light Rain by Robert Scarola

These hawks have a distinctive call. You can hear it at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/sounds

Here is what an adult looks like, photo taken by Jim Garlock. No more brown head!

Red-shouldered Hawk by Jim Garlock

Thanks to Mark, Robert, and Jim for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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A big sandbar once again closed the Gualala River to the Pacific Ocean for much of January. While the river opens and closes regularly during the winter with the tides, it is very unusual for it to close in the winter for weeks. I've recently posted photos of the full Gualala River. With the help from a big rainstorm, the river breached the sandbar on Friday, Feb. 6th around 4 pm and began to surge into the ocean. Mike Mee was there to see it happen.

Gualala River opened Saturday Feb.7 by Mike Mee

It is very exciting to watch this phenomenon as the pent-up river churns its way into the ocean. The sound alone is amazing.

We are waiting for yet another soaking storm. And while there have been many power outages, including us for two days, we are grateful for this bounty from Mother Nature.

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

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Zak Rudy recently photographed a Peregrine Falcon near his home in Timber Cove. Here's his story:

Zak Rudy wrote, “It’s been months to get a good photo. This one was almost by chance rather than intention, as most of the best shots do come. This is a male Peregrine Falcon waiting for his female. They’ve been having their courtship in my back woods off Timber Cove Road. Unconcerned with the flock of chickens literally below him, blinded perhaps by desire!”

Peregrine Falcon by Zak RudyTo hear the call of a Peregrine, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/peregrine_falcon/sounds

There are many fun facts on the site, including the fact that Peregrine means wanderer. Peregrines have one of the longest migrations of any North American bird. Some travel more than 15,000 miles in one year! And nary a frequent flyer reward to be found.

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

 

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Mark Simkins and Kitty Wolfe have meadows around their Manchester home. Kitty says they have millions of gopher - yes, that is just an estimate. Bobcats LOVE gophers and can be seen hunting their favorite prey regularly. Mark recently got these photos.

A Bobcat just walked by my window by Mark Simkins A Bobcat on the move by Mark Simkins

Bobcats are often seen in the daytime here, though they are supposed to be nocturnal. They are agile hunters. Here is one of my favorite photos of one climbing the very high fence at the B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena, photo taken by Judy Mello.

Bobcat climbing the Giraffe fence by Judy MelloThat is a very determined Bobcat! And it shows if you are trying to raise chickens where Bobcats live, you really need to protect them.

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

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During the recent high tides, Rozann Grunig went to the Gualala Bluff Trail to photograph the big surf. She found this Great Blue Heron seemingly watching the surf. It took flight and Rozann got this photo.

Great Blue Heron by Rozann Grunig

She also got this dramatic photo of the King Tides washing over the sandbar of the Gualala River.

King Tides wash over sandbar of the Gualala River by Rozann Grunig

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