Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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It is extremely unusual for the Gualala River to close for a long period of time in the winter. However, it has been closed off to the Pacific Ocean for weeks by a large sandbar. The lagoon is flooded and there is water, water everywhere. Irene Leidner recently took a kayak trip on the river. You can see how very full the river is.

A full Gualala River by Irend Leidner

Peter Cracknell also photographed the river.

The full Gualala River lagoon by Peter Cracknell

And here he got a nice photo  the ocean trying to breach the sandbar.

The Gualala River Goddess by Peter Cracknell

We have a big storm due in tomorrow, Thursday. Heavy rains and strong winds are forecast. We might get as much as TEN inches of rain before the storm is over. After our dry January rain is very welcome, though we wish it wouldn't come all at once! The Gualala River is sure to open soon after it begins raining. Batten down the hatches!

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

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I have had numerous sightings of a Bald Eagle in the Jenner area and, in fact, I saw one at the mouth of the Russian River last week. But this is the first photo I've seen of a pair, presumably a mated pair. Paul Brewer recently photographed these two adult Bald Eagles.

Bald Eagle pair by Paul Brewer

They were feasting on a fish. We have high hopes that we will have a nesting pair of Bald Eagles on the Mendonoma Coast.

Thanks to 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.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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You look for an anomaly on the ocean - white caps when there are no other white caps or movement in the water. That often is Dolphins. Tom Eckles photographed a pod headed north and moving fast!

Risso's Dolphins by Tom Eckles

Here are two close-ups of a Risso's Dolphin, taken by Ron LeValley.Risso's Dolphin emerges by Ron LeValley Risso's Dolphin 1 by Ron LeValleyRisso's Dolphins feed on Squid. The older the dolphin is, the more scratches it has on its body. The scratches are caused by their interaction with other dolphins and from the squid they hunt. These dolphins are also called Grampus.

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

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Even though we have had no rain for two weeks, there have been clouds that drifted up from the south. Yesterday morning, Rick and I were headed down the coast early and the sunrise reflected in the clouds was amazing.

Sunsets have been beautiful too, and it seems like no two sunsets are quite the same. Just like snowflakes! Paul Brewer got this beautiful photo recently. You can see there was a low tide.

Sunset at low tide 1-22-15 by Paul Brewer

And Allen Vinson photographed a spectacular sunset too.

Thursday's sunset 3 by Allen Vinson

Thursday's sunset 4 by Allen Vinson

Fire in the sky! Thanks to Paul and Allen for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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Iversen Cove isn't accessible to the public so it is a treat to see Paul Kozal's photos. He recently photographed this area at high tide. Iversen Cove on 1.20.15 King Tide by Paul Kozal And here it is at low tide.

Iversen Cove on 1.20.15 Low Tide by Paul Kozal

Isn't this an amazing look? Many thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you. Paul's website is: http://paulkozal.com/