Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Rough-skinned Newts spend time in creeks and ponds, and also on land. Richard Kuehn recently photographed one swimming.

Swimming Rough-skinned Newt by Richard Kuehn

I find them occasionally in our courtyard where we have a fountain. It's fun to see them flash their orange underparts. Peggy Berryhill photographed this one below.

Rough-skinned Newt by Peggy Berryhill Rough-skinned Newt in attack position bt Hal Fogel

The photo above, taken by Hal Fogel, shows a newt in an attack position. Rough-skinned Newts have a toxin in their skin so it's best to not handle them. Garter Snakes are the only creatures that can eat this particular newt.

Thanks to Rich, Peggy and Hal for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Jon Loveless recently spotted this handsome Buck - a four-point Buck in velvet. The western count is used here, where just one side of the antler prongs are counted.

Four-point Buck by Jon Loveless Handsome Buck at rest by Jon Loveless

He's a beauty. In a few months he will be looking for Does to call his own. Thanks to Jon for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Last Thursday Allen Vinson had his camera in hand when he and Craig Gilliland spotted a huge spout.

The tall spout of a Blue Whale by Allen Vinson

Then a second whale appeared.

Two Blue Whales by Allen Vinson

I wonder if this might be a mother/calf pair. The Blue Whales were quite a ways out - Allen was using his long lens to get these photos. Here are a few more looks.

Blue Whale 2 by Allen Vinson Blue Whale 3 by Allen Vinson

This last photo shows you what Allen and Craig were seeing from the bluffs. This is the time of year we are more likely to see a Blue Whale, the largest creature on earth. Very much endangered still, as their numbers have been slow to increase after whaling was stopped.

It's a wonderful sighting, that's for sure. And two Minke Whales were spotted earlier the same day.

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

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We have had a lot of fog here on the Mendonoma Coast and haven't seen many sunsets this past week. But last night the fog lifted. With monsoonal clouds overhead the sky was alive with color. Gary Levenson-Palmer took these photos.

2014-08-05 Sunset by Gary Levenson-Palmer 8614 Sunset by Gary Levenson-Palmer Sunset 8.6.14 by Gary Levenson-Palmer

It was amazing to see the sky and ocean change colors with this sunset. Thanks to Gary for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Harm Wilkinson spotted this white rock heart at Gualala Point Regional Park and titled it "love on the rocks".

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A little whimsy to start off your week - I  hope it brings you a smile. Thanks to Harm for allowing me to share his photo with you here.