Tag Archives: Gretel Matull

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I'll let Siegfried Matull tell this story:

“Whenever the sun shines, we have Quail taking sand baths in our yard. We have been watching this action for many hours!

Quail taking a sand bath by Siegfried Matull

“In my picture you can see two Quail on the left with their eyes open, but the Quail on the right has stuck its head down into the sand we are sure with its eyes closed. These birds throw the sand with their wings high into the air, fully covering themselves with sand, making them invisible.”

Studies have shown that dusting helps Quail maintain the optimum level of oil on their feathers.

Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photo with you here. And Happy Thanksgiving to those in the United States! This beautiful, warm day on the Mendonoma Coast is reason enough to be thankful. And we are thankful for the rains to come - there is a series of storms headed our way, with rain to begin sometime tomorrow. Hooray!

 

 

 

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A week ago Sunday Siegfried and Gretel Matull noticed something unusual about the moon. Siegfried wrote, “About eight pm we got another nature surprise when we went out onto our deck. We discovered another unbelievable experience of our lifetimes. I ran to get my camera, and took some pictures. In all of our lives we have never seen this before. Why was there this wide circle around the moon?”

Halo around the moon by Siegfried Matull (Large)

The Matulls witnessed a halo, also called a nimbus, icebow or gloriole. It’s an optical phenomenon caused by ice crystals. Halos often predict that rain will fall within the next 24 hours.

I saw a halo around the moon very early this morning. The moon was in the west, low in the sky. Rain is predicted for later tonight!

Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

 

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Siegfried and Gretel noticed a Raccoon befriending a black cat.

A Raccoon and a housecat are friends by Siegfried Matull Best friends, a housecat and a Raccoon by Siegfried Matull Black housecat and a friendly Raccoon by Siegfried Matull

This cat became so familiar with Raccoons that it was friendly when a baby paid it a visit.

Baby Raccoon meets the friendly housecat by Siegfried Matull

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

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Siegfried and Gretel Matull stopped at the mouth of the Russian River in Jenner. They found the river closed but the Harbor Seals and Gulls didn't seem to mind.

 The wave action was dramatic at times and Siegfried got this photo of a crashing wave.

Rick and I had driven down the coast last Thursday and saw the river was about to flood the deck of the visitors' center. On our way back home, we saw this fellow getting ready to manually open the river - a dangerous task indeed.

We had to go down to Bodega Bay on Monday and saw that the river was at least four feet lower than it was the previous Thursday. Yes, the river was once again open to the Pacific Ocean.

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

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Siegfried and Gretel Matull very much enjoy watching the wildlife near their Sea Ranch home. Siegfried often captures photos when the parents bring their young ones near. He recently photographed a mother Raccoon with her cubs.

 Siegfried also sent in the photo below, which he says is his favorite of all his Raccoon photos.

Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photos with you here. These bring a smile to my face and I hope it does the same to you!