Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Really, the return of Al, the Laysan Albatross, to the waters off the Point Arena Pier was exciting enough. But the excitement levels rose when two juvenile Gray Whales swam in close to the pier on New Year's Day. Deborah Heatherstone was there to witness the event.

You can see a buoy in the second photo. This whale was very close in. Tomorrow I will share a photo of a surfer and one of these whales. And I will tell you more about this group of Gray Whales that didn't migrate. It's a fascinating new phenomenon.

Thanks to Deborah for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Joel Crockett was enjoying Cook's Beach with his dog, Argish, early one morning recently. Lucky for us Joel had his camera and took this beautiful photo.

I thank Joel for allowing me to share his photo with you here. Joel is the owner of The Four-eyed Frog bookstore in Gualala. If you'd like to support this independent bookstore - one of the friendliest places in Gualala, perhaps the world - here's the website: http://www.foureyedfrog.com/

If you'd like to discover Cook's Beach for yourself, here's a link that gives directions: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/12/cooks-beach-a-beautiful-pocket-beach-just-north-of-gualala/  Just make sure that when you park your tires are off the pavement to avoid a ticket. I want you to have only good memories of your visit to this special spot.

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Tundra Swans, Cygnus columbianus, overwinter on the floodplains of the Garcia River. Last year, with our drier than normal winter, brought just a handful of these beautiful white swans. Eight were spotted last week. Richard Kuehn photographed four Tundra Swans in flight recently, always a thrilling sight.

We hope to have hundreds in residence soon. Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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The soft pastels of a Mendonoma sunrise, constantly changing and always mesmerizing, can start your day off right. Carolyn André photographed Thursday's sunrise from her home at The Sea Ranch.

Add a cup of coffee or tea and you have the perfect start to the day. Thanks to Carolyn for allowing me to share her photos with  you here.

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Candy Cap mushrooms obviously do not mind cold weather. They have been popping up in great numbers. This delicious edible is in the  Milk Cap family - Lactarius fragilis. Rick and I find it growing under Bishop Pines and Tan-oak Trees. It's deep orange color is distinctive and it bleeds white liquid when you touch their gills. The most distinctive trait is, however, their unbelievable maple syrup fragrance.

These mushrooms are so sweet you can use them to bake cookies or in pancakes. In Gualala a local gelato company, Gelati Pazzo Marco Creamery, makes Candy Cap Gelato. Here's the link to their web site: http://gelatipazzomarco.com/