The late rains really helped the Coast's wildflowers. The Douglas Iris blooms are spectacular. Blooming now are Pacific Rhododendrons and Western Azaleas, along with the stunning Andrew's Clintonia. Many, many others are blooming now too. Paul Kozal recently photographed the wildflowers on a bluff at The Sea Ranch. Paul's photo looks like a painting - just beautiful. 
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, including some fascinating photos of wild mushrooms, here is his website: www.paulkozal.com/
Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson
A beautiful rainbow in the sky – a sundog.
There were a few clouds in the sky on the first day of May. One sported a sundog and Jan Jewell photographed it.
Sundogs are created when light is refracted off of ice crystals.
Thanks to Jan for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Gray Whale mothers and calves are passing by the Mendonoma Coast.
Most days this past week Gray Whale mothers with calves have been spotted. They are quite close in. Paul Brewer recently photographed two mother/calf pairs. This is, I believe, a calf as there are no barnacles on it.
Here you will see a mother/calf pair.
And here's a photo of the iconic Gray Whale tail.
And finally a Gray Whale spout.
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/
Andrew’s Clintonia are blooming in forests.
One of our most dramatic wildflowers, Andrew's Clintonia, has begun blooming in all its glory. They are members of the Lily family and can be found in shaded forests. Rozann Grunig recently photographed one.
Rick and I have one blooming in our forest that is over two feet tall. Its red blooms are quite dramatic against the Redwood tree behind it.
Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see Rozann's photography, here is her website: www.Highway1Designs.com
This is amazing – two people tried to camp IN the Gualala River!
On Sunday the sandbar of the Gualala River apparently looked like a good place to place a tent to two unwary campers. They built a bonfire and seemed pretty happy with life, despite the fact it is illegal to camp IN the river.
What these visitors didn't know was that the river was going to close to the ocean overnight. Here is a photo of the same spot just twelve hours later.
When their campsite began to flood, they had to pack up in a hurry. I wonder who's idea it was to try and camp there!