Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Craig Tooley came to our home in Anchor Bay to photograph the two baby Ospreys in a nest that we can see through our scope. Conditions weren't that good so he will try again. It is wonderful seeing the two tiny heads and necks of the babies. Now the parents are coming and going, bring fish to their hungry offspring.

Craig did photograph the birdhouse that was enveloped by Paper Wasps. I thought you'd enjoy seeing a close up of their exquisite work. The metal roof is untouched and a tiny portion of the white front still shows.

 Below you can see the Paper Wasps coming and going, as they build a nest inside the birdhouse. They covered up at least 90% of the opening to the birdhouse.

Luckily this birdhouse/paper wasp nest is at the bottom of our driveway. Live and let live is the motto here.

If you'd like to see the original post on this rather unique situation, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/07/22/the-strangest-thing-one-of-our-birdhouses-was-recently-taken-over-by-paper-wasps/

To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here's the link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/

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This surely must be a juvenile Common Raven. No adult would look so foolish. It looked like it was trying to nestle down on a nest, forgetting that it was on a fence post.

 Perhaps the Raven could hear Allen snickering. Allen entitled this photo, "Are you laughing at me?!!"

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

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Meet Rocket, the newest member of the herd of endangered Roan Antelopes that make their home in Point Arena at the wildlife preserve B. Bryan Preserve.

And here is Rhonda, Rocket's mom, nursing her newborn. You'll see one of her horns is askew. Judy Mello told me Rhonda had a fight with some other mean Roan girls and this is the result. Judy called it a "bad horn day."

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

To see a photo of a full moon rising over the preserve, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/03/10/full-moon-rising-at-the-b-bryan-preserve/

And to learn more about this special place, here's the link to the B. Bryan Preserve web site: http://www.bbryanpreserve.com/  It would be a great place to stay when you visit the Coast.

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Heermann's Gulls are migrating along the Mendonoma Coast, right, along with Brown Pelicans. These medium-sized Gulls, when adults, have white heads and gray bodies. Their backs are darker gray. Paul Brewer recently photographed one that stopped on a bluff near Gualala.

Just look at that red bill - used to steal fish from Brown Pelicans. They've actually been seen going into a Pelican's pouch to steal its catch.

 Here you can see the three shades of this striking Gull.

These Gulls are rarely found inland. They breed in Mexico and then fly north up to the southern portion of British Columbia. They are found nowhere else in the world.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Paul's beautiful photographs, here is his web site: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

Paul's photos will also be featured at the Dolphin in Gualala for the month of August.

To see a photo of a Heermann's Gull trying to steal a fish, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/08/heermanns-gulls-trying-to-steal-a-brown-pelicans-fish-off-the-mendonoma-coast/

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A walk along the Gualala Bluff Trail brings wonderful sightings. Recently Bob Rutemoeller was doing his docent duties along the trail when he saw this group of Common Mergansers on the river.

Common Mergansers are large Ducks and they are found in Europe, Asia and North America. These fish-eating ducks have serrated edges on their bills, giving them the nickname "sawbills."

I love the wakes they made in the calm Gualala River. Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photo with you here.