Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Pigeon Guillemots lay their eggs in crevices or small cavities in rocky cliffs or islands. There are two known Pigeon Guillemot nests on Gualala Point Island. Craig Tooley recently photographed this pair.

Pigeon Guillemots by Craig Tooley

These two are in breeding plumage. Non-breeders have mostly white heads and white underparts. Notice their bright red/orange feet! They are only found in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Adults are busy feeding the young in their rocky nest. We hope to see them fledge in the days to come.

To hear their calls, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pigeon_Guillemot/sounds

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

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Richard Kuehn must have a lot of good luck as he sees an amazing amount of green flashes from his bluff top home on The Sea Ranch. It helps that he can see the sunset over the ocean every day of the year and that he takes the time to watch every sunset he possibly can. He recently photographed the green flash.

July 31 Green Flash by Richard Kuehn

Rick and I can't see the sunset three months of the year - it is blocked by Fish Rock Ridge - but we are now able to watch it as it "sinks" into the ocean. We too will be watching for this special mirage, the green flash.

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

To see another photo of the green flash, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/10/03/the-green-flash-was-seen-sunday-at-sunset/

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The White Fawn is startling to see - you almost can't believe your eyes! It has a normal-colored sibling. Allen Vinson recently photographed this special fawn, which can be seen grazing at The Sea Ranch.

The White Fawn by Allen Vinson

You can see that it is not an albino and it is beginning to color up a bit. To see a photo of this fawn with its twin posted on May 28th, here is the link:  http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2014/05/28/a-white-fawn-was-born-on-the-sea-ranch/

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

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You can't miss this big caterpillar - it's lime-green! And it has little yellow and black antennas, and white spiky bumps, and lots of green feet.

Caterpillar of a Ceanothus Silkmoth by Peter Reimuller

At first I thought it was the caterpillar of a Hummingbird Moth but the markings were a little off. Then I thought of the huge Ceanothus Moth and...bingo!...I had the answer. This is the caterpillar of that beautiful moth.

Here is what this caterpillar becomes, photographed by Clay Yale. What a transformation!

Ceanothus Moth by Clay Yale (Medium)

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

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Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, are members of the Orchid family. They are late-blooming and grow in moist habitats. Diane Hichwa found this orchid and Craig Tooley photographed it.

Lady's Tresses, Sprianthes romanzoffiana, by Craig Tooley

It's called Lady's Tresses because the spiral is thought to remind you of a lady's braided hair. The scientific name of this orchid honors Count Romanzoff. The good count was the Russian patron of botany.

Thanks to Diane for finding this beauty and 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