Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Yes, Barn Owl babies have been seen in a nest recently. Jim Garlock photographed two adults, which you will see below.

Vita photographed the babies you see below a few weeks ago. They are in her barn and I understand they are VERY noisy. But the heart-shaped faces will steal your heart.

Thanks to Jim and Vita for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see a photo of a Great Horned Owl and a link to a site to hear Owl calls, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/09/19/owl-calls-and-a-very-startled-golden-retriever/ There's a funny story of how I scared my golden retriever, Huckleberry, when I played an Owl call.

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Great Blue Herons are seen frequently on the Mendonoma Coat. There is an elegance to them that draws the eye. Allen Vinson photographed one and caught the moment of lift-off.

 And the striking Heron is ready for its close-up. Sometimes beautiful women are known for their long necks, but they will never beat this feathered creature.

Great Blue Herons are common in North America but are rare visitors to Europe. They are also found in Central America, the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. We see them hunting rodents and small fish, which are usually swallowed whole.

Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see another photo of a Great Blue Heron taking wing, here's the link; http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/09/30/great-blue-heron-photographed-just-as-it-takes-flight-a-lovely-photograph-by-marianne-rittenhouse/

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Also called Leopard Lilies, California Tiger Lilies are gracing us with their presence. Lilium pardalinum is their Latin name. They are native to California and southern Oregon. They grow near water, loving boggy conditions.

Here a Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly is feeding on a Tiger Lily. I saw one of these butterflies today, flitting through my garden.

In my original post I identified this butterfly as an Anise Swallowtail. Ron LeValley kindly gave me the correct identification and sent this link, which shows both butterflies, side-by-side: http://levalleyphoto.com/gallery/viewphoto.php?id=37  Thanks, Ron!

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On a recent walk on the Gualala Bluff Trail the Gualala River looked particularly beautiful. Frequent readers know that the river has been closed by a massive sandbar. The wintertime estuary is now a lagoon. To the right of the sandbar is the Pacific Ocean. Lovely, don't  you agree?

It's the fourth of July here in the United States, the day we celebrate our independence. The festivities in our area will be held this coming weekend. Fireworks Saturday night in Point Arena, followed by the annual parade on Sunday. Yes, the Golden Retriever Love Brigade will make another appearance - an only in Point Arena sighting!

To see photos of the Love Brigade, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/04/golden-retriever-love-brigade-a-point-arena-4th-of-july-parade-tradition/

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Windermere Point is found on the west side of Highway One in Sonoma County just south of Fort Ross Store. For some reason, Rick and I had never pulled in to this beautiful part of Fort Ross State Historic Park. There are lovely views from the bluffs, plus a view of Timber Cove Lodge and the famous Benny Bufano Peace statue.

Below is a view of the cove to the south.

And this is looking west.

 In the distance is the Benny Bufano Peace statue, the lodge and the cove to the north.

 This is the entrance sign - so low-key that we never paid much attention to it.

And here's Rick's car parked in the parking area - a 1980 Mercedes-Benz, 280SE. It's a great car for the Coast Highway's curves.

I will show you Fort Ross soon. It is fascinating - Russian explorers founded it 200 years ago. There are lots of celebrations going on to commemorate this anniversary. You can learn more at this link: http://www.fortross.org/bicentennial-2012/