Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

•

Layered sky above, swaying life below. With the surge from each passing wave, all things not fixed move first to and then fro.

Getting ready for a dive by Roger Rude

Feet up, head down, two kicks and I begin my flight to the bottom in a state of totally alert relaxation.

I glide through the columns of kelp, over rippling sea grass in a crevice, I descend. Around me a menagerie of colorful life forms, fish cleverly camouflaged seem to appear magically. I pass through a silvery wall of small fish as they part around me.

Abalone diver in kelp by Ken Bailey (Small)

To the task at hand - a quest - light on I peer in cracks and holes, illuminating the mysteries they conceal. In the back of one cave an Abalone clings to the ceiling, a large one worth measuring. As it senses my presence it clamps down on its rock perch.

I slide the ten inch gauge around it, feeling the surge of water from a wave above press me into the hole as I measure the shell - just shy of the mark. Nine and seven/eighths of an inch spell reprieve for this Abalone. I'll leave him for another year.

Forty-five seconds have passed and my body reminds me I'm terrestrial; it is time to return for air. As I fly upwards I look at that layered sky above, under the undulating reflective surface of the sea, pressures change, efforts cease as I cross the buoyancy barrier and float to the surface.

As I draw my first breath, I can feel the surge of oxygen infusing every cell in my body. Resting there, I'm in a meditative state, eyes watching the world below, my soul being rejuvenated. I am where I should be, where I need to be.  By Roger Rude.

Roger Rude with a 10.05 Abalone by Jack Likins (Large)

Here is a photo of Roger on a day that he did find a ten inch Abalone - this one measured 10.05 inches, a trophy Abalone.

Thanks to Ken Bailey for the underwater photo - to see much more of Ken's wonderful underwater photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/

Thanks to Jack Likins for the photo of Roger. And a big thank you to Roger for the photo of the early morning ocean and for this beautiful essay.

•

Barn Owls are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Jim O'Brien got up early one morning and was surprised to see this Barn Owl asleep in a tree.

Sleeping Barn Owl by Jim O'BrienJim's photo looks like a beautiful painting. Barn Owls are nocturnal; they find a secluded place to roost during the day. This particular owl woke up when Jim took the photo and flew away.

They hunt at night, using their excellent hearing to find rodents. Barn Owls don't hoot like many other owls. They have a raspy call. You can hear it at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Owl/sounds

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

•

Beautiful Monarch Butterflies have been seen, feeding on various flowering plants. Paul Brewer photographed one feeding on escolonia.

Monarch feeding on escalonia by Paul Brewer Monarch on escalonia by Paul Brewer

These Monarchs are part of the Methuselah generation that will live for seven months or so, migrating down to Baja California.

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

• 2 Comments

•

Two big Bucks were seen together recently. But they weren't practice jousting like they usually do this time of year. They were preening each other. Jon Loveless photographed them.

Two Bucks preening each other by Jon Loveless

Nancy Padgett recorded a video of the two Bucks. She has allowed me to share her video with you here.

They apparently were removing pests from each other. Thanks to Jon and to Nancy for allowing me to share their photo and video with you here.

•

Craig Tooley was driving down Longmeadow Road when he spotted this Coyote, Canis latrans.

Coyote on The Sea Ranch by C raig Tooley

It looks pretty healthy and is probably feeding on the many Sea Ranch Gophers.

Here's another photo Craig took of a Coyote some time ago.

Coyote by Craig Tooley

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