Thursday, November 24, 2016

Congratulations, Jackie!

Hello, everyone!  This is Eric writing.  Jackie has reluctantly agreed to let me write the first-ever guest post on her blog.  The reason for my post is to share with you some good news.  Two weeks ago, Jackie received the “Naturalist of the Year Award” from the Western Society of Naturalists!  You can read more about the history and goals of this prestigious award here.

Those of you who have been regular readers of this blog over the past 5 years know that Jackie keeps her blog focused on the wondrous fauna, flora, and coastal landscapes of our region.  She rarely includes much about herself in these posts, and so I’m not likely to get many words in here about Jackie before she kicks me out of her blog!    

So, let me just say that I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition.  I’m continually amazed by her skills as a naturalist – her insightful observations, curiosity, intuition, patience, attention to detail, breadth of knowledge, photographer’s eye, and commitment to sharing.  Jackie inspires us all to seek out and embrace the beauty and mysteries of nature, and this is a tremendous gift for which I am very thankful.
Here are a few recent photographs of Jackie.  Searching within a seagrass bed for tiny invertebrates during Summer 2015:

 

And, walking the beach earlier this year during an El Niño storm, in search of purple sea snails: 


 

Congratulations, Jackie!
 
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 25, 2016 at 8:13 AM

    Congratulations Jackie! This award is well deserved. We are faithful daily readers of your blog. The information in your posts is amazing and has increased our awareness and knowledge of our local ocean environment. Now when we go for our frequent ocean walks we are on the look-out for what you have discovered and posted. We also appreciate your breadth of knowledge from birds to marine mammals. Thank you! Vi and Richard Strain

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  2. Linda ConleyNovember 25, 2016 at 8:29 AM

    What a beautiful description of all the things that draw people to this blog -- and to Jackie. I was lucky to meet her once on a Pelagic birding trip out of the Bay, and her warmth and enthusiasm are memorable. Wonderful honor, Well-deserved. Thanks for these frequent windows into the part of the world I love most, and for sharing this news with the 'fans'.

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  3. KathleenNovember 25, 2016 at 8:33 AM

    Yes, congratulations Jackie and a huge thank you for your blog. I have shared it with family and friends. The beauty and information and wonder you share with us informs our hikes and sparks our interest. Joy! Kathleen

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  4. megNovember 25, 2016 at 8:57 AM

    Congratulations Jackie!!! No one is more deserving and your speech at WSN was great!!

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  5. cricketNovember 25, 2016 at 9:40 AM

    Hi Eric and Jackie

    i can think of no one else who helps us all learn the educational and amazing details of life arounds us delightfully ... i look froward to each posting ... A BIG CONGRATULATIONS

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  6. Monica Scwalbenberg-PeñaNovember 25, 2016 at 10:05 AM

    Congratulations! Much deserved! Thanks for filling our days with fascination and wonder!

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  7. Doerte MannNovember 25, 2016 at 12:44 PM

    Congratulations, Jackie, and thank you for sharing your knowledge of the natural world in those wonderful "bite-sized" pieces on your blog.

    You have introduced me to many creatures large and small I had no idea existed, and their wondrous lifestyles, and have been a constant reminder to keep my own eyes and ears wide open every time I am out somewhere.

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  8. UnknownNovember 25, 2016 at 2:02 PM

    Congrats, Jackie! Thanks so much for being our natural history hero!

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  9. Dan S.November 25, 2016 at 2:03 PM

    Way to go JACKIE!!!! Can't think of anyone else more deserving of this award.

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  10. UnknownNovember 25, 2016 at 2:31 PM

    Congrats to my amazing sister!!!!! I am forever amazed by here brilliance and talents!!!! Keep up the good work!!! Dad would be very proud of you!!!! CONGRATS!!!!

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  11. Jackie SonesNovember 25, 2016 at 5:04 PM

    Hi, everyone!

    Thanks so much for writing today. It's humbling to receive an award like this and to hear from all of you.

    I see the blog as a two-way street. At night, when I sit down to write a blog post, I'm writing to YOU. I'm so thankful that you're out there, reading and watching, and thinking about the natural world.

    Thank you for being there and for "walking with me." I'm looking forward to more adventures!

    :) Jackie

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  12. Annaliese HettingerNovember 25, 2016 at 8:27 PM

    Well said, Eric and YAY, Jackie! I am so happy I got to see you receive your much-deserved "Naturalist of the Year" award. You gave wonderful presentation. Thank you for helping me to remember to keep my eyes and ears open to all that there is to discover.

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  13. Leth BenzNovember 25, 2016 at 10:48 PM

    Hip Hip Hooray for Jackie! She's our Naturalist Hero without a doubt!
    Jackie is amazing in so many ways! We love her photos, stories - the works!!!


    Great guest post, Eric :]

    Your loyal fans,
    Beth, Casey, & Charlie in Hawaii

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  14. UnknownNovember 26, 2016 at 1:58 PM

    Congratulations on the award, and thank you so much for taking the time to share all these amazing snippets of your work with us through the blog. I love to see my beloved sonoma coast through your educated and attentive eye.

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  15. Alice ChanNovember 28, 2016 at 9:29 AM

    This is amazingly wonderful news!

    I'm grateful every day for this blog. You never fail to teach me something new in each post!

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  16. liz bredbergNovember 28, 2016 at 7:13 PM

    Congratulations, Jackie. I really appreciate your blog. Bodega Head has been one of my favourite places since my childhood (long ago), and your postings help me to keep a sense of it from afar.

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  17. AnonymousOctober 12, 2020 at 4:33 AM

    I've discovered your amazing blog quite recently, and it has delighted me, taught me a lot, and enhanced my appreciation of the Bodega area. Thank you for sharing your observations and knowledge. Congratulations on your well-deserved award!
    --Mary

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