Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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The first Osprey chicks have been seen in nests. The babies will stay in the nests for some weeks yet. Paul Brewer recently photographed a male Osprey bringing a fish back to the nest while the female watched.

Male Osprey bring fish to the nest by Paul Brewer

Paul observed the female Osprey tear the fish into pieces and feed a baby in the nest.

Osprey Nest Mom tears food and feeds unseen chick by Paul Brewer

But when Paul went back the next day, the nest was abandoned. We will never know exactly what happened. Perhaps a Raven or other predator took the baby. Or perhaps there wasn't a chick this year and they were "practicing." Paul was sad, though, as he had so enjoyed last year's family on this same nest.

The Osprey nest we can see through our spotting scope is still being tended by the female, with the male making sporadic visits, often bringing a fish. "As free as a bird" doesn't begin to describe the hard work of all the wonderful birds we are privileged to see.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos 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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Several weeks ago a small storm brushed the Mendonoma Coast. Two photographers captured some lovely photos. Rob Diefenbach got this photo of a Rhododendron.

Rhodi in the rain 5-8-14 by Rob Diefenbach

And Witta Priester used her macro lens to get this fantastic photo of raindrops on rosemary.

Raindrops on Rosemary by Witta Priester

Thanks to Rob and Witta for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

To see more of Witta's photography, here is her link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wittap/

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It's quite a sighting to see two Banana Slugs forming the symbol of yin-yang. Craig Tooley photographed just that.

Yin Yang Banana Slugs by Craig Tooley

The two Banana Slugs are actually preparing to mate. I was asked recently, who eats them? Garter snakes eat them, for one example. Raccoons eat them as do Ducks, Geese and Salamanders. Rick and I see them every day in our forest - tiny ones, skinny ones, fat ones. This spring they seem to be very abundant.

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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Paul Brewer has been photographing the northward migration of mother Gray Whales with their calves. They have really be putting on a show! This first photo was taken Wednesday, May 21st. A Gray Whale calf breaches - always a breathtaking moment.

Breaching Gray Whale calf 5.22.14 by Paul Brewer

Several days earlier Paul took these photos.

Whale Migration-Calf by Paul Brewer Whale Migration-Gray Whale calf breaches by Paul Brewer

In the photo above you can see the mother Gray Whale in the foreground with her calf breaching.

Many thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his spectacular photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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It is wonderful to see a Bobcat saunter by your back deck. That's just what happened to Thom Matson at his home on The Sea Ranch.

A confident Bobcat by Thom Matson

You can clearly see its tufted ears and short, bobbed tail. Below is another photo of the Bobcat, walking across a meadow with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.

Bobcat on a Sea Ranch meadow by Thom Matson

Bobcats love gophers and The Sea Ranch meadows have plenty of them!
Thanks to Thom for allowing me to share his photos with you here.