Tag Archives: Rick Jackson

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RCLC would like to have you enter your photos of Mill Bend in their photo contest. Mill Bend includes the estuary of the Gualala River and extends up river to the boundary with Gualala Arts. RCLC has extended the final date for submission to Sept. 6th. You can find all the details here: https://www.rclc.org/8003-2/

Here's a photo Rozann Grunig took of Rick and me kayaking on the Gualala River some years ago. Rozann, you could have a winner here!

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

Foggy this morning, clear and warm this afternoon, a lovely late summer day.

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On Wednesday, the Gualala River was flowing over the sandbar. With the very high surf, the river didn't dramatically drain down, as it does most years. It opened and then closed on Thursday, but yesterday, Friday, it was definitely open.

There is a group of Harbor Seals on the right side of the breached sandbar. They love to feast on Steelhead. Steelhead, who have been trapped in luxury in the river, are leaving the river to begin the next stage of their lives. And Steelhead are entering the river to spawn. Lots going on in our favorite river right now!

Rick Jackson took this photo from the Gualala Bluff Trail.

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A rare plant has bloomed near Rick’s and my home in Anchor Bay, last year and this year too. We took wildflower aficionados Mel Smith and Linda Bostwick to see the spiky maroon and white flower last weekend. There, growing in sandy soil and forest duff, was a Sugarstick, Allotropa virgata.

Here's a closer view of the flowers - they are quite beautiful.

Sugarsticks, also called Candysticks, are parasitic plants. They feed on fungi in the soil. The two places I’ve found them have Matsutake mushrooms in the fall. If you have known Matsutake spots, look and see if you might also have Sugersticks. Last year’s flowers are still standing as leathery thin stalks.

Interesting that they seem to be associated with Matsutake fungus!

We have had cool, foggy weather on the Mendonoma coast this week. The sun finally appeared mid-afternoon. There are lots of people here with their fancy cars, as there is a car show on Saturday at Gualala Arts. It's free and lots of fun. Here is a link to the Gualala Arts Center about the event: http://gualalaarts.org/2018/07/10th-annual-gualala-arts-auto-show-8th-annual-pinewood-derby/

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Rick and I, along with our golden retriever Sunny, visited the Walk On Beach public access trail on The Sea Ranch. Sonoma County Regional Parks made the Sea Ranch public access trails free to the public recently. What we found when we reached the bluffs had me exclaiming! It was thrilling to see and hear the big waves crashing against the rocks. Yes, it was foggy, but that didn't bother us.

The sounds of the big breakers were amazing and watching the breakers crash against rocks was mesmerizing.

Big Breakers off Walk On Beach by Jeanne Jackson

Big rollers off Walk On Beach by Jeanne Jackson

Here are a couple of short video clips. Enjoy! The sun did come out for the afternoon. And rain is in our forecast for later next week. That would be a blessing!

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After one of our recent storms, Wendy Bailey found this branch down in her garden. It's beautifully decorated with Lichens and Turkey Tails.

Belly Button Hedgehogs are up, as are Winter Chanterelles. I've had a report that Sweet Tooth Hedgehogs are appearing too. And the first Black Trumpets. Here is a photo by Eric Kritz taken a few years ago of my friend, Rachel Kritz, holding a Sweet Tooth Hedgehog, a delicious edible mushroom.

And here Rick shows you the difference between a huge Sweettooth and the smaller Belly Buttons.

Thanks to Wendy and Eric for allowing me to share their photos with you here. Happy foraging!