Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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Leopard Lilies, Lilium pardalinum, are just about done with blooming. I have a group in my garden that is safe from our coastal Deer so Rick and I have been able to enjoy their exotic beauty for weeks. The Leopard Lilies in our forest were all eaten by Deer this year - only one actually bloomed, but only for a few days before it was eaten. These beauties are also called Tiger Lilies or Panther Lilies. As I have written here before, their roots have medicinal qualities. We just enjoy the brilliant splash of orange loveliness.

My best to you today! Jeanne Jackson

And here's what the one Lily that bloomed in the forest looked like:
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/05/the-first-leopard-lily-has-bloomed-at-the-edge-of-quinliven-creek-an-exotic-beauty-on-the-mendonoma-coast/

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Two young Gray Fox kits are growing up on the Sonoma Coast. Siegfried Matull captured a photo of the Foxes playing on a Redwood stump at his Sea Ranch home. You can see the beautiful orange-red highlights of the Foxes. In the right light they also have a blue cast to their fur - whoever named them "gray" must have been color-blind! Gray Foxes are also called Tree Foxes for their ability to climb most anything. They are fun to watch and to photograph. Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photo here.

Here's a link to an earlier photo by Craig Tooley of newborn Fox Kits on this site:
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/31/two-photos-of-gray-fox-kits-by-coastal-photographer-craig-tooley/

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Last year in September Craig Tooley photographed two Marbled Godwits frolicking in the surf at Manchester State Beach. We're hoping these large shorebirds will make a repeat visit this year. Here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology if you would like to hear what their call sounds like. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/marbled_godwit/sounds

I thank Craig for allowing me to show you this charming photo. If you'd like to see more of Craig's photos, here's his web site link: http://ruffimage.com/ You can also put Craig's name in the search box at the top of this blog to see more photos by Craig. He's one of the best!

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Fringed Corn Lilies, Veratrum fimbriatum, are rare, growing in shaded, moist areas on the Sonoma and Mendocino Coasts. The plant's leaves are quite beautiful when they emerge in the spring. Fringed Corn Lilies are beginning to bloom as we head for the first day of autumn. The leaves now show wear and tear, but the beautiful blossom rises above it all.

I have two pictures of the blossom to share with you. First John Sperry's photo, showing the fresh blossom and the riddled leaves.

And next is Nan Brichetto's close-up photo of the blossom.

And if you'd like to see the leaves as they looked this spring, you can click on this link to an April posting here on Mendonoma Sightings! http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/04/08/fringed-corn-lily-leaves-a-rare-mendonoma-plant/

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Just look at this beauty! When I researched this Dragonfly, I learned it is very difficult to get a picture of one as they are always on the move. And, if they are perched, they are difficult to spot as they blend in with their surroundings. Rick and I were lucky to see it flitting near our neighbor's spring box and then watch it land.  The Pacific Spiketail's Latin name is Cordulegaster dorsalis. The black near the bottom of the Dragonfly almost looks like duct tape, don't you think? And, my, what blue eyes it has! I feel fortunate to be able to share my photo with you here.