Author Archives: Jeanne Jackson

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This unusual bird, a Crested Caracara, has been seen near the P'da Hau, aka the Garcia River for several days. Rancher Larry Stornetta was the first to report its presence. Photographers Craig Tooley and Ron Bolander went looking for it Saturday, Jan. 27, and found it near the mouth of the river, hanging out with several resident Turkey Vultures. Here are some of Craig's photos of this very rare visitor here.

I had never heard of this bird before, but they are residents of Mexico and points south. Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about them:

"The Crested Caracara looks like a hawk with its sharp beak and talons, behaves like a vulture, and is technically a large tropical black-and-white falcon. It is instantly recognizable standing tall on long yellow-orange legs with a sharp black cap set against a white neck and yellow-orange face. The Crested Caracara is a bird of open country and reaches only a few states in the southern U.S. It flies low on flat wings, and routinely walks on the ground."

I read that these birds are mostly quiet but will give out a call if disturbed. Here is a link to hear the call of this bird: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Crested_Caracara/sounds

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is a link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com Craig and I made a beautiful book together, "Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year."

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Justine Rosenthal wrote, “Janine [Johnson] saw this Bobcat this afternoon. It was in our yard two times today, sleeping and hunting." This Bobcat looks pretty content!

Fun Fact: the markings on a Bobcat’s fur are unique to each Bobcat, just like our fingerprints.

Thanks to Justine and Janine for allowing me to share this photo with you here.

There are lots of clouds today, Friday. The sunset could be amazing! Dry weather is predicted for the weekend. New rainfall totals at Rick's and my place - 30.35 inches. More rain coming in next week.

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Bonny Dunn piloted her drone out over the Pacific Ocean to get this view of the coastline. It was at the peak of the recent King tides.

 

You can see the Gualala River flowing into the ocean and the town of Gualala in the middle. What a fascinating look at our area.

Thanks to Bonny for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see more of Bonny's photography, here is a link to her website: https://bonnydunn.com/

We had a break from the storms today, Tuesday, but another storm is coming in tonight. Clouds are piling in! The last storm brought 2.50 inches, bringing my season to date total to 29.95 inches. 50 inches is a "normal" year at Rick's and my place, so we are well on our way!

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Paul Brewer visited Salt Point State Park recently. He found crashing waves and some beautiful waterfalls.

I'd sure like to see these waterfalls after today's storm is over - they should be in full flood!

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: https://paulbrewer.smugmug.com/

We received more than 2 3/4 inches of rain from the previous storm, and my season to date total was 27.45 inches. It's pouring as I type this so the total will be going up...way up!

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Michele Melio was at Shell Beach, one of public access trails of The Sea Ranch. She wrote, "I saw something red, maybe a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker. No, something better, a Pileated Woodpecker, nature's chainsaw."

"The Beaver is nature's builder and engineer, but the woody woodpecker lives up to its name. They can turn a tree into sawdust and wood chips in a matter of days. I've never seen one in this area before, as they generally hide and hunt in the forest on the ridge with the bigger trees. I tried my best to get a better shot, but it kept calling "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha." Then comes a noisy pair of humans walking down the trail talking loudly. It took off cackling the entire way."

It's not always easy to get a photo of one of these prehistoric-looking birds. Here's another look at one of these beauties, this one taken by Mike Petrich.

Pileateds have a very unique call. You can listen to it at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/sounds

Thanks to Michele and Mike for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The storm late Friday brought another inch of rain, and we sailed past 25 inches season to date. It's raining Saturday afternoon and another storm is due in Sunday. Bring it, Mother Nature!