Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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It's amazing but true. Millions of years ago Horsetails were the size of trees. Now they grow a foot or so high in and near the creek bed of Quinliven Creek and other creeks on the Mendonoma Coast. Huckleberry, our golden retriever, occasionally chomps the top off of one, to no ill effect. Equisetum is their Latin name and they too have medicinal qualities. In Native American medicine they were used to stop bleeding. They were also used for scrubbing pots. I just like looking at them in the forest!

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I thought this picture was lovely with the sun breaking through the clouds and fog. Usually the storm clouds chase the fog away but it seemed like they merged together for a while several days ago, swirling and billowing. Today we have blue skies and the male American  Goldfinches are adorning a fir tree like brilliant yellow oranments.

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Traveling north to the Mendonoma coast means a slow ride on the Jenner Grade of Highway One with its many switchbacks. Once you reach the top, the views of the Pacific Ocean are breathtaking and it's possible to see Gray Whales on their migration north this time of year. Many people dislike this part of the drive though and it is one of the reasons why this part of the coast is so sparsely populated. If it was easy to get to, it would be overrun like Carmel, so here's to the Jenner Grade! While you are driving slowly, you have the chance to look for wildflowers and the many cascades from seasonal streams - a nice reward.

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Salal is blooming in sunny spots in many places on the Mendonoma Coast. It's white and pink blossoms are easy to overlook as this native wildflower grows low to the ground. To my surprise I learned that when the berries (which aren't really berries but swollen sepals) ripen, they are edible. They were a significant food source for Native peoples. And the leaves have medicinal qualities. All from this ubiquitous plant that I've been taking for granted...but no longer!

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It's always sweet to see the first newborn fawns of the spring. The first ones seen this week were twins. It looks to be a healthy year for our Black-tailed Deer with all the rain providing lots of grasses and other food. Drivers on Highway One need to be extra careful this time of year. When a Doe crosses the road, pause for a moment to see if a fawn or two or even three are following behind. Create a Mendondoma traffic jam - you'll be glad you waited a minute and saved the life of a beautiful creature.

Thanks to Siegfried Matull for this beautiful photo taken at Sea Ranch.