Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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We had a second storm hit the Mendonoma Coast on Wednesday and we are thankful for this early rain. Following the storm were beautiful clouds and several rainbows. Thursday was an incredible day to be on the coast. Bettye Winters got these photos in the Irish Beach neighborhood.

clouds of autumn by Bettye Winters (Large) partial rainbow by Bettye Winters (Large) Thursday morn rainbow by Bettye Winters (Large)

The clouds cleared and Cathleen Crosby got this photo of Friday night's crescent moon.

Friday's crescent moon by Cathleen Crosby

There is always something beautiful to see here on the Mendonoma Coast!

Thanks to Bettye and Cathleen for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

 

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Several Coast residents were treated to the sight of two dozen or so Dolphins obviously feeding, as they stayed for over three hours. Ken Bailey took this photo of what I think are Pacific White-sided Dolphins. However, Jodi Smith, of Naked Whale Research, looked at the photos and she says they are Risso's Dolphins. One can be seen breaching.

Pacific White-sided Dolphin breaching by Ken Bailey

Joel Chaban got a photo of their dorsal fins, which you can see slope backward at the top.

Dolphins feeding at Cooks Beach by Joel Chaban

These Dolphins eat mostly squid and some medium-sized fish.  They are not as acrobatic as Pacific White-sided Dolphins but young Risso's Dolphins can be seen breaching, as in Ken's photo.

To learn more about whales, especially Killer Whales, here is the link to Jodi Smith's Naked Whale Research website: http://www.nakedwhaleresearch.org/

Thanks to Ken and Joel for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see more of Ken's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/

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Jan McCormick spotted a Wandering Tattler wading through the surf.

Wandering Tattler by Jan McCormick

Their breeding grounds are far to our north, in the mountains of Alaska and north-western Canada. They over winter on the west coast of California, Baja and all the way down to South America.

They come by their name "Tattler" because they give a warning call when disturbed, warning other birds too. To hear their calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wandering_Tattler/sounds

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

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Siegfried Matull couldn't believe his eyes. He was photographing a Bumblebee feeding at one of his hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water when an Allen's Hummingbird flew up and joined the Bumblebee!

Allen's Hummingbird and a Bumblebee share a feeder by Siegfried Matull

Sometimes there is peace on earth, if only for a moment at a feeder! Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Cathleen Crosby spotted this pair of California Walking Sticks, Timema.

California Walking Sticks, the smaller male gets a free ride by Cathleen Crosby

She commented, "Making little sticks." It does look like they might be mating. But I've learned that the smaller male spends much of his life hitching a ride on top the larger female. Doesn't seem quite fair, does it?

Here is a photo Cathleen took several years ago of a single CA Walking Stick.

California Walking Stick - Timema by Cathleen Crosby

These insects are only found in the far western United States. They feed on leaves or bark. In our area they might be found feeding on Ceanothus.

Thanks to Cathleen for allowing me to share her photos with you here.