Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Margaret Lindgren leads hikes here on the Mendonoma Coast. On a hike last month she discovered a rare and endangered wildflower, Supple Daisy, Erigeron Supplex. She found it on The Sea Ranch and I understand there are more of these flowers on the Point Arena/Stornetta Lands.

Supple Daisy by Margaret LindgrenClose-up of Supple Daisy by Margaret Lindgren

I haven't seen this native wildflower yet but hope to see it next year.

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To learn about the various hikes Margaret offers, here is her website: www.unbeatenpath.weebly.com

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Terry Pfardresher was hiking in a Redwood forest in Gualala when she heard a hissing sound. There on the edge of a Redwood stump was a Turkey Vulture chick. Terry took nature photographer, Craig Tooley, to the site and he got this photo.

Fledgling Turkey Vulture by Craig Tooley

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has this to say about their nests: "Turkey Vultures nest in rock crevices, caves, ledges, thickets, mammal burrows and hollow logs, fallen trees, abandoned hawk or heron nests, and abandoned buildings. These nest sites are typically much cooler (by 13°F or more) than surroundings, and isolated from human traffic or disturbance. While they often feed near humans, Turkey Vultures prefer to nest far away from civilization."

Here is the photo Terry took several days earlier. The young bird hopped down into the hollowed out Redwood stump just after she took this photo, so we're sure that's where the nest is.

Fledgling Turkey Vulture by Terry Bold

This is a rare sighting and I thank Terry for sharing it with us. Thanks also 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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So much bigger than Brown Pelicans, American White Pelicans have been seen floating near the mouth of the Russian River. Janet Tervo recently photographed a flock.

American White Pelicans by Janet Tervo American White Pelicans by Siegfried Matull

The photo above was taken by Siegfried Matull, showing a White Pelican in flight.

To hear the sound of these birds, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/sounds

American White Pelicans breed inland and travel to the coast to overwinter. It seems a little early for their appearance but the first of them have arrived.

Thanks to Janet and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Paul Brewer trained his camera on an Anna's Hummingbird and this is the result.

Anna's Hummingbird feeds by Paul Brewer

Anna's Hummingbird by Paul Brewer

Anna's Hummingbirds are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. To hear their call, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/annas_hummingbird/sounds

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

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

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In all the years I've been doing my Mendonoma Sightings nature column in the Independent Coast Observer, I have never received a photo of a Bobcat kitten...until now! Mark Simkins and Kitty Wolfe had two Bobcat kittens visit their Manchester property recently.

Bobcat kitten exploring by Mark Simkins Bobcat Kittens roam by Mark Simkins Bobcat Kitten by Mark Simkins Bobcat Kitten has big feet by Mark Simkins

The young Bobcats already have the same marking on the back of their ears and on their bobbed tail as their parent have. Take a look at the paws - just like a puppy, you can tell by their feet that they will get bigger.

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his wonderful photos with you here. To see Mark's photo of an adult Bobcat "meditating," here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2013/10/05/a-beautiful-photo-of-a-meditating-bobcat-by-mark-simkins/