Tag Archives: Jenner

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We are having an irruption of CA Tortoise Shell Butterflies. They do have similar colors of Monarchs, but they are much smaller. Shari Goforth got this photo of one of the dozens in my courtyard yesterday.

They were being seen in vast numbers yesterday, Saturday, down in Bodega Bay and in Jenner. Cynthia Schreiner wrote to me last night: "Many people in Bodega Bay saw thousands of butterflies  today, colored/looked like Monarchs, flying south? For an hour maybe two they were everywhere,  not milling around  but quite intent on going south.  So cool, they just didn't alight to get a Pic."

Mating for these butterflies, Nymphalis californica, takes place from March to May, when they emerge from their winter hibernation once the weather warms up.

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

And warm up it has! Another toasty day with no wind here on the beautiful Mendonoma Coast.

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Frank Coster was at Jenner with his camera when he noticed a Gray Whale calf and its mother, quite close in. Here is the calf, taking a good look around!

And here is the calf with its mom.

In the last photo you can see how close they were to the crashing waves - that's pretty darn close!

The vast majority of the mother/calf Gray Whale pairs are still making their way out of the birthing lagoons off Baja California. Only a few have made it to the Mendonoma coast, so we have many days and weeks ahead to see them pass by. As for me, it never gets old seeing them. Knowing that they are passing by on their oh-so-long migration northward warms my heart.

Thanks to Frank for allowing me to share his photos with you here. You can find Frank and see his wonderful nature photos on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013869702560&fref=search

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Frank Coster has taken some incredible photos of the two Jenner Bald Eagles. I love this one with the eagle about to catch his or her dinner.

To see more of Frank's nature photography, he shares them on his Facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013869702560&fref=search

And thanks to Frank for allowing me to share this photo with you here. He took some great photos of a Gray Whale and her calf a couple of days ago. I'll be sharing them here soon.

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Larain Matheson stopped on a trip down the coast to photograph this lovely sight through her windshield. You can see the Russian River entering the Pacific Ocean. And the headlands are draped in fog.

Highway One, with it's curves and cliffs, can be scary for some to drive. Many of us who live on the Mendonoma coast just resolve to take our time and enjoy the beautiful vistas.

This afternoon we are getting a little rain. As it hasn't rained in February before today, we are grateful for any wet stuff Mother Nature gives.

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

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Frank Coster had his tripod and camera set up on one of the pullouts off Highway One, just above Jenner. That is where two Bald Eagles have been seen in recent years. They often fish for Pacific Lampreys, a fish that is thin and long, up to three feet long. Frank saw the Bald Eagle fly towards a Sea Lion, which had a Lamprey in its mouth.

The brash eagle then dove towards the Sea Lion, his talons extended and ready to grab his meal.

Here the Bald Eagle steals the Lamprey from the Sea Lion.

And then Bald Eagle flies off with his spoils.

The disappointed Sea Lion then dives, perhaps looking for a meal he or she can keep.

What a great series of photos! I thank Frank for allowing me to share them here with you. Frank also collaborated with me for a feature about Bald Eagles in yesterday's Press Democrat. You can read my article and see some of Frank's other wonderful Bald Eagle photos at this link: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/7855159-181/bald-eagles-making-a-comeback

And you can view other dramatic photos taken by Frank at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ynegrwr/