Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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One storm after another has hit the Mendonoma Coast. And it turned very cold over the weekend. The barometric pressure was extremely low, 29.37 inches, and cell after cell of unstable air roiled over the ocean and coast. It sure made for a beautiful sunset last night.

I dedicate this photo to my sister-in-law, Gail Jackson, who loves the sunset pictures posted here the most.

To see one of the many beautiful sunset photos on this site, here's the link to a sunset from Cook's Beach: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/12/inspiring-sunset-at-cooks-beach/

Today has been a day full of rainbows. I will share one with you tomorrow - something, perhaps, to brighten your Monday.

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Jim Garlock recently put in a birdbath and it has already attracted several species of birds. Jim photographed this Western Scrub Jay during and just after its bath. These photos brought a smile to my face and I hope they do to yours as well.

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

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Debra Mundt was enjoying hiking at Hearn Gulch when she came across an early blooming wildflower. Wight's Paintbrush, Castilleja wightii, is a perennial herb. It is a California native and is only found in California. I thank Debra for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

To see a photo of the rare Mendocino Coast Indian Paintbrush, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/29/two-more-rare-wildflowers-found-at-ten-mile-dunes-by-peter-baye/

The Mendonoma Coast is experiencing a very wet storm today. The creek that runs through our property is doing its best imitation of a mighty river. After this series of storms is over wildflowers will burst into bloom on coastal bluffs. Hearn Gulch is a spot I'm definitely going to visit in the weeks to come.

To learn more about Hearn Gulch, here's a link to a previous post on this site: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/06/ive-just-fallen-in-love-with-hearn-gulch/

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Bettye Winters recently photographed a golden sunset with a contrail lit by the setting sun. Many commercial airlines travel just off the Coast, over the Pacific Ocean. This sunset must have been beautiful to see from that airplane!

Thanks to Bettye for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Peter Baye explored some of the tide pools at low tide at the Stornetta Public Lands. He found many wonders. One of them was a Gumboot Chiton, Cryptochiton stelleri, also called a Giant Pacific Chiton.

 And here is the underside of this large Chiton.

Gumboot Chitons eat algae, moving along rocks. They also eat sea lettuce and giant kelp. They can live up to forty years. It seems they have no predators to worry about. They are edible but apparently so unpalatable that one would have to be starving to eat it. "Rubbery" is how they are described.
To read about the wonderful Stornetta Public Lands, here's the link to a previous post: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/18/low-tide-at-the-stornetta-public-lands-in-point-arena-breathtaking/