Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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On May 26th, a very strange looking vessel was seen. Rick wondered at first if it was an ice breaker because of its prow. We could see the boat's name was Oberon. Cathleen Crosby noticed it too. She was able to pull over along Highway One and get this photo.

The Oberon, a support ship for superyachts by Cathleen Crosby

We found out it is a support vessel for Super Yachts, a Sea Axe 5009 Oberon. You can see a smaller boat on the back. Apparently they carry supplies and extra crew for a luxury yacht. It's top speed is 28 knots, a very fast vessel indeed.

To learn more about this yacht, here's a link:  http://www.charterworld.com/news/sea-axe-5009-oberon-yacht-changes-the-superyacht-support-vessel-market

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

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Peter Baye found this wildflower growing near a tributary of the Gualala River. It's never been documented to be growing in our area, so it's rare here but not in other locations.

Close-up of Wild Clematis by Peter Baye Wild Clematis, Clematis ligusticifolia, by Peter Baye

It's scientific name is Clematis ligusticifolia. Peter found it climbing ten feet high in willow trees, blooming brightly in sun and shade.

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

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Craig Tooley photographed this photo of an adult Western Gull giving its chick "the look." What do you think the caption should be? Western Gull parent tell its chick “Oh, why, yes! They're SUPPOSED to be pink,” cap. by Steve Serdahely, pho.by Craig Tooley Steve Serdahely sent in the winning caption (the judge was Craig's wife, Rita Peck). His caption was: "What? Oh, why YES! They're supposed to be pink!"

Other fun captions were: "Don't you kids wear anything but camo?" by Joseph Reader

"How many times must I repeat that you are still too young to get your beak pierced." by Irma Brandt

"He takes after his father!" by Rozann Grunig

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

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Pepe Alvarez photographed a Brown Pelican soaring. They seem to fly so effortlessly, using updrafts near the bluffs.

A Brown Pelican soars by Pepe Alvarez An adult Brown Pelican by Pepe Alvarez

This year Brown Pelicans did not breed in great numbers. The estimate is only 1% of the normal amount of eggs were laid. The theory is the burgeoning El Nino is to blame. Their normal food source down in Baja was not available this year and most Brown Pelicans did not successfully breed. As they are long-lived birds, taking one year off is not a cause for worry.

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

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Pat Killen found a family of Gray Fox kits exploring a neighbor's property. The mother climbed up on what looks like a hot tub enclosure while two of her little kits tried to reach her. One successfully climbed up as you will see in the second photo.

Gray Fox mother with her kits by Pat Killen (Large) A Gray Fox kit nuzzles its mom by Pat Killen (Large) Four Gray Fox kits explore a float by Pat Killen (Large)

The last photo shows the four kits exploring a float. Gray Foxes are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

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