Dispatches from Mendonoma: An Adolescent Bald Eagle Nabs a Gull

The following is an article written by Jeanne Jackson for her blog Mendonoma Sightings where she documents the wildlife, the land, and the waters of our coast.

Michael Reinhart wrote, “I looked out the window and saw a VERY large bird circling low over the water – an immature Bald Eagle. While grabbing my camera, I noticed that there was a gull on the water under the eagle. The eagle attacked, picked up the gull, and flew off adjusting its prey in its talons.”

Another gull [a Western Gull] made a few dives at the eagle, but the eagle kept going and disappeared around the cliff.”

Mike caught sight of the juvenile Bald Eagle on a bluff where he/she presumably finished off his or her meal.

It is heartening to see the recovery of Bald Eagles. As their numbers increased, they began expanding their territory northward along the coast. First, we saw a pair in Jenner, and then two years later, the Gualala Bald Eagles arrived. Could this young one be last year’s offspring of the Gualala pair? Maybe!

Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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It’s sunny and breezy today, and achingly beautiful!

How Can You Support the Efforts of Mendonoma Sightings?

• Buy Jeanne Jackson’s book Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year here. The 270-page, full-color documentation of our coast’s beauty would make for a great gift or coffee table conversation piece.
• Jeanne Jackson has also written two children’s books: Sunny Loves Spring on the California Coast and Sunny Loves Summer on the California Coast. These playful children’s books were written to instill within children a love of nature. Jackson will be publishing the other two seasons this year. Those books can be purchased at http://sunnylovesnature.com/
• Check out Craig Tooley’s incredible photography of our coastline here. Buy some prints of his photos, get them framed, and bring the Mendonoma coast home.
• “Follow” and “Like” the Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year Facebook page for direct access to Jackson’s dispatches of life on Mendonoma.
• If you have your own Mendonoma Sighting, contact Jeanne Jackson at mendonomasightings@gmail.com to submit your narrative and photograph so she can document the experience.

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