Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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In less than 24 hours we had 4.9 inches of rain at our house in Anchor Bay. That's enough to cause flooding and, indeed, the Garcia River has flooded Highway One this morning. The seasonal creek the crosses our property was doing its best imitation of a mighty river and was running dangerously fast and very muddy. We were afraid that our golden retriever, Huckleberry, might get too close to the stream so we leashed him up.

I took these photos late yesterday afternoon after 4.2 inches had fallen. Here's Rick and Huck next to the spot on the creek where we usually can jump across - not yesterday and still not today!

 In the upper left is the path we usually take to get down to the forest floor. It was a river too!

Here Quinliven Creek rushes underneath the bridge Rick built with his son, Ron, so we could get across in times like these. This is about as close to the bridge as we've seen the creek. It was a little scary going across the bridge!

 And below you can see the creek as it looks this morning. It's lower and not so muddy but still running strong.

 And amidst all this winter-like weather, a wonderful sign of spring - a Red Clintonia emerges.

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Will Ericson was exploring the tide pools at the Stornetta Public Lands at low tide. He ducked into a cave and discovered this Sunflower Seastar, Pycnopodia helianthoides.

This Sea Star is the largest sea star in the world, growing to more than three feet across. Will said this one was more than a foot across. They eat clams and snails but prefer sea urchins. A lovely "meadow" of sea urchins was nearby. They usually have between 16 and 24 limbs. It *looks* like this one has 21.

I thank Will for allowing me to share his unusual sighting with you here.

To see more photos of the Stornetta Lands at low tide, here's a link to a previous post: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/18/low-tide-at-the-stornetta-public-lands-in-point-arena-breathtaking/

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Like the Salal Trail, the Stengel Beach Public Access Trail is a little hard to find. To access the Stengel Beach Trail you turn off of Highway One onto Wild Iris at mile marker 53.96. You will then see the pay station and parking on the right. This is a very short trail with a big pay-off with enough rain - a waterfall!

 Below is the sign that you will be looking for at the entrance.

 And here is a portion of the easy trail out to the bluffs.

 Looking down over the waterfall and over Stengel Beach. Bring a coat! It can be very cold on the bluffs.

To learn about the beautiful Salal Trail, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/30/how-to-find-the-salal-trail-a-hidden-gem-of-a-trail-on-the-sea-ranch/

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Storms have been hitting the Mendonoma Coast, with three more to go. Last night's sunset was spectacular and I photographed it so you could see it too.

Tomorrow I will be sharing photos of the Stengel Beach Public Access Trail and Waterfall on The Sea Ranch. Rick and I walked it on Thursday, one of the few clear days this week. I'll give you a hint - it's beautiful!

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Beth Petit caught it with her camera otherwise I'm not sure I would have believed it! Our year 'round Anna's Hummingbirds have been fighting off the migrant Allen's and Rufous Hummingbirds that have been coming through the Mendonoma Coast recently. But Beth caught an Allen's and an Anna's sharing a feeder.

 But it looks like in this second photo that the Anna's just might have noticed there was an intruder at "his" feeder. Watch out, little Allen's Hummer!

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