Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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By-the-Wind Sailors, Velella velella, have been washing up on beaches recently. They are a relative of Jellyfish and are quite beautiful. Roberta Chan noticed one that still had life so she picked it up and carried it to a tide pool. Unfortunately for the Sailor, the wind slowly drove it directly to a hungry Sea Anemone.

An anemone and a by-wind-sailor 1 by Roberta ChanAn anemone & sailor 2 by Robert ChanAn anemonee & sailor 3 by Robert Chan

It just wasn't that Sailor's day.

Thanks to Roberta for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To see a photo of a Velella velella and to learn more about them, here is the link to a previous post: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2014/08/26/velella-velella-by-the-wind-sailors/

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Cece Case was in her office at her home in Gualala  when she looked up and got the surprise of her life. An adult female Mountain Lion was looking through the window.

Mountain Lion outside my window by Cece Case

Cece does have cats and perhaps this big cat was looking for a tasty treat. Cece got another photo of the Cougar -  a look at her full body and tail. You can see it at the Independent Coast Observer's website at: www.mendonoma.com Click on Mendonoma Sightings photos to see it.

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

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Lucky us! Paul Brewer has taken up night photography. Last Tuesday the skies were clear and he and his wife, Jackie, headed for The Sea Ranch Chapel. Just look at this lovely photo.

Stars and The Sea Ranch Chapel by Paul Brewer

I will look forward to seeing more of Paul's new passion, nighttime photography. Thanks to him for allowing me to share this beautiful photo with you here.

To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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John Batchelder saw a pod of what he thought were dolphins or perhaps Killer Whales. They were Risso's Dolphins and many were breaching. Using his long lens, John got these photos. Risso's Dolphin breaching by John Batchelder Risso's Dolphins by John Batchelder Risso's Dolphins prey on Humboldt Squid and their bodies can be marked by the squids' beaks. The more scars, the older the dophin is. Here is a close-up of a Risso's Dolphin taken by Ron LeValley. Risso's Dolphin 1 by Ron LeValley Thanks to John and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, his website is: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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We have had some beautiful sunsets over the past several days and one green flash that Rick and I saw. It was quick but glowed a beautiful emerald-green. Karen Tracy recently photographed a sunset at Cook's Beach, the very popular public access just north of Gualala.

Sunset at Cook's Beach by Karen Tracy

To learn more about our new public access spots, here is the link to the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy: http://www.rc-lc.org/ The fine people at RCLC are doing such wonderful work to bring us access to these beautiful places where we can see a sunset like this one.

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