Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Welcome storms have been hitting the Mendonoma Coast. Those who love big crashing waves head for the bluffs to take a look at the Pacific Ocean in action. Between storms can bring some of the loveliest weather. Janet Burch recently photographed some beautiful waves off of The Sea Ranch.

The Gualala River is running high and muddy, such a welcome sight. After our bone dry January, the rains of February have been a blessing. May they continue in March!

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

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Drew McCalley found this young Cooper's Hawk perched on top of his bird feeder recently. The hawk wasn't looking for birdseed, that's for sure. Cooper's Hawks eat smaller birds.

If you see a hawk staking out your bird feeder, you could take the feeder down for a day or so, encouraging the hawk to move on.

Cooper's Hawks are very agile fliers and very fast! They are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.
To hear their calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/coopers_hawk/sounds.

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

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Ron LeValley was out on the Point Arena-Stornetta lands when Secretary Jewel visited to see this beautiful land for herself last November. The hope of many of us is for this land to be included in the California Coastal National Monument.

While Sally Jewell visited the land, three Humpback Whales started breaching. Though it was a long ways off Ron got this photo. What perfect timing - even the Whales are in agreement!

Ron enjoys going on pelagic trips and sometimes gets some fantastic up close and personal photos of Humpback Whales. Below is one such photo.

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's photography, here  is his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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I will never become blasé about our beautiful sunsets - they are to be savored. Seeing the sun "set" into the Pacific Ocean is a privilege. Jerry Anon took this photo recently, capturing a moment of loveliness off Anchor Bay Beach.

Paul Brewer also photographs sunsets, often from his home in Gualala. Here is a recent photo from Paul showing waves hitting Castle Rock and the bluffs with a beautiful sunset to set it all off.

Thanks to Jerry and Paul for allowing me to share their 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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Rick and I wanted to show our friends the hard to spot wildflower, the Fetid Adder's Tongue. Worst. Name. Ever. It is also called Slinkpod, almost as bad a name. Its scientific name is Scoliopus bigelovii.

Here we all are searching for the tiny orchid-like wildflower. Huckleberry, our golden retriever, is assisting in the hunt.

Rick was the one who spotted it. It was only about two inches high. You can see the two distinctive mottled leaves on the forest floor.

Trilliums and Milkmaids are also blooming now. We are having warm, sunny weather, which we are able to enjoy because there is a lot of rain in our forecast!

Thanks to C'Anna Bergman-Hill for allowing me to share her photos with you here.