Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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This is the first photo of an American Badger sent in to Mendonoma Sightings in the six plus years I've been doing the column, so you can see how rare it is to see an American Badger. This juvenile Badger had apparently fallen down a cliff and was unable to climb back up. Craig Tooley and Rita Peck, trained in wildlife rescue, were called after members of our ambulance service had seen it alongside Highway One in Sonoma County.

Craig said the little fellow - or gal, we don't know for sure - was VERY feisty. An man employed by the Park Service happened by and helped Craig and Rita get the Badger in a box. They climbed the steep cliff and let the Badger go in the grassy meadow - a successful wildlife rescue!

Below is a photo of a Badger mound that was seen on The Sea Ranch in 2007 and photographed by Dibby Tyler. The Badger was never seen.

To see more of Craig Tooley's wildlife photos, here's the link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/

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Our smallest Owl, it's always a treat to see a Northern Pygmy Owl. Peter Baye reports that he's been hearing them call at his place on Fuller Mountain in Annapolis recently. And one paid him a visit, allowing Peter to get this photograph.

Last year Rick and I had one perch on a deck railing close to a bird feeder. Here's the link to see the two photos I took. I got a photo of the BACK of the owl, showing the false eye spots. They are very realistic!
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/20/a-northern-pygmy-owl-paid-us-a-visit-in-anchor-bay-earlier-this-week/

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The expression on the faces of Harbor Seals is so endearing it is easy to fall in love with them. Siegfried and Gretel Matull have been studying and photographing Harbor Seals at The Sea Ranch for some years now. Recently Siegfried photographed two very relaxed seals. It seems all was peaceful in the rookery.

 And then the Matulls got very lucky. A Harbor Seal gave birth right on the beach and Siegfried got the shot!

And here is the pup with its mom. Siegfried says Harbor Seal mothers are wonderful in taking care of their newborn pups. You can see they have a close, loving bond.

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

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Bettye Winters heard and then saw a very noisy Black Oystercatcher on the rocks at the north end of Manchester State Beach. As she watched a wave washed over the rocks and the Oystercatcher disappeared. It then reappeared a short distance away on another rock. I wonder if this bird was surprised to be washed off the rocks like that. He/she needs to heed the warning we humans are taught - never turn your back on the ocean!

If you look closely you can see an orange Sea Star, aka Starfish, on the rocks to the left.

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Thursday was such a lovely day on the Mendonoma Coast. Rick and I, with Huckleberry, our Golden Retriever, walked the Gualala Bluff Trail. We were amazed to see the level of the river had dropped so low. It was, however, still open to the Pacific Ocean. And the river was so clear that Rick saw a Steelhead swimming towards the river opening.

 A couple was sitting on the sandbar when this squadron of Brown Pelicans approached.

 And "Debbie" is obviously loved! This is river bottom, usually covered with water.

 Some of the flowers currently blooming along the beautiful Gualala Bluff Trail.