Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Once again the Golden Retriever Love Brigade made an appearance at the 4th of July parade in Point Arena. Of course the parade wasn't held on the 4th this year but the 8th. When we start down Highway One, which is also Main Street, you can hear people going "awww..." And the children call out to the goldens. It's a heartwarming moment.

Amelia Ronne and Emily Grossman carry our sign.

 We won first prize in our division, which was, of course, animals. I'm holding the award and, yes, that's Huckleberry.

 We tried and tried to get a photo of the goldens and their owners. Not too successfully! Bridgett, a young pup on the left, was more interested in a ball. Jordan, next to her, is a ball hawk too but he was being a good boy.

 I love how the children are reaching out to the dogs. Golden Retrievers are among the friendliest of dogs.

An only in Point Arena event! And below you will see a pup trying - and succeeding - in showing up the Love Brigade. The dog is being pulled by a remote-controlled vehicle and he/she sure looks smug, don't you think?

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On July 5th I saw what I thought was a breach out in the Pacific Ocean. The ocean was calm and I saw a big splash of white water. Now, Rick and I are a half mile away from the ocean so when we see a big splash like this we know something special is going on. Thinking it might be a Humpback, I trained our scope on it and saw it wasn't a breach but a huge spout. Blue Whales!!! There were three, perhaps four of these behemoths.

You can see the back in the photos below. Blue Whales are so huge they do not come out of the water except for a peek at their backs.

I have a much, much better photo of a Blue Whale, taken by Craig Tooley from an airplane. I will share that another day. Any day you see whales is a good day, but seeing Blues is something extra special.

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Tide pooling is a Coast tradition. One of the places to tide pool is at Anchor Bay Beach, which is accessed through Anchor Bay Campground. Anchor Bay Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand. And at low tide, there are treasures to be found and photographed, as Michelle Schubert discovered.

Below is an Ochre Sea Star. You can see the star in the middle.

 And here is a Sunflower Sea Star. It looks like it lost one of its arms.

 And a translucent green Jellyfish.

 I love how the Sea Stars, also fondly called Starfish, are draped on the rocks.

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

To see another photo of a Sunflower Sea Star, this one seen at the Stornetta Public Lands, and learn a little more about them, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/03/27/sunflower-seastar-found-at-the-stornetta-public-lands/

And to see a beautiful wave at AB Beach, here's that link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/16/the-pacific-ocean-is-dancing-at-anchor-bay-beach/

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These little frogs, usually colored green, show up in the strangest places. Susan Gonzalez photographed one on a wire structure over her pond. The wire protects her fish from Great Blue Herons and other critters after an easy meal. The Tree Frog looks a little precarious up on the wire.

Thanks to Susan for sharing her photo with us. To see a Tree Frog with an attitude, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/25/pacific-tree-frog-with-an-attitude-as-photographed-by-cathleen-crosby/

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Endlessly fascinating, Bobcats are seen hunting rodents in grassy meadows. It is wonderful that a wild creature such as a Bobcat is free to coexist with us. Rick Wilson photographed one on The Sea Ranch.

Thanks to Rick for sharing his photo with us. To see another great Bobcat photo, this one by Drew Fagan, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/06/09/bobcat-caught-in-mid-air-by-drew-fagan-in-gualala/ He photographed the Bobcat leaping in mid-air.