Tag Archives: Siegfried Matull

•

Kathy Bishop recently photographed this White-tailed Kite. Kathy wrote,

“I was watching an elegant pair of White-tailed Kites skimming a pasture near Manchester when one glided toward me and settled to take a break.”

They mostly eat small mammals. I have seen one hunting at Gualala Point Regional Park. They have the ability to hover in the air. Here is what allaboutbirds.org says about White-tailed Kites: "While hunting, the White-tailed Kite characteristically hovers up to 80 feet off the ground and then drops straight down onto prey items. This ability to hold a stationary position in midair without flapping is accomplished by facing into the wind, and is so characteristic of these birds that it has come to be called kiting. White-tailed Kites also perform ritualized courtship displays in which a male offers prey to a female prior to egg laying. In an often spectacular aerial exchange, the female flies up to meet the male, turns upside-down, and grasps the prey."

Siegfried Matull once witnessed this ritualized courtship and photographed this amazing sight as the male brought a vole to his mate.

White-tailed Kites are year round residents of the Mendonoma coast. Their call is whistle-like and you can hear it here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

Thanks to Kathy and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

•

Great Egrets are year-round residents of the coast and can often be seen alongside the Gualala River. Rozann Grunig spotted one recently resting on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Here is a fun photo taken by Siegfried Matull some years ago of a Great Egret standing next to a Brown Pelican.

Thanks to Rozann and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

•

George Anderson wrote, “We have not had any [California] Quail chicks in our backyard hedgerow for about five years. This year, a bonanza! The picture shows the young ones nestling and preening after a dust bath. How many can you count? 20 seems to be the consensus answer, but it’s challenging with such great protective coloration.”

It's hard to tell exactly how many little ones are in there! Siegfried Matull took one of my favorite photos of a Quail family, all lined up and easily counted.

There are fourteen little chicks in Siegfried's photo, with the father on the right and the mother on the left.

Thanks to George and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

•

Barbara Thrush spotted this Tom Turkey showing off his beautiful tail feathers, obviously hoping to impress a Hen or two.

Tom Turkey displaying by Barbara ThrushThe males really have a lot of color, don't they? Siegfried Matull once photographed a male Tom Turkey flying from a  hedgerow on The Sea Ranch.

Siegfried's Wild Turkey flying out of a hedgerow by Siegfried MatullIt is thought these turkeys are not native here, but others disagree. We know they are here now and can be seen occasionally right alongside Highway One.

Thanks to Barbara and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

•

It's not easy photographing CA Quail chicks, as they always seem to be in motion. Two chicks recently came to a water dish to take a few sips, and Clay Yale had his camera at the ready.

Two California Quail chicks by Clay Yale

Here is a photo of the beautiful male, taken by Tom Eckles. The male is always on guard duty while the female tends to her covey of little ones.

Male Quail by Tom Eckles

My all-time favorite photo of CA Quail was taken by Siegfried Matull

14 Baby Quail by Siegfried Matull

14 chicks are on the bench, with Dad acting as a sentry. It looks like Mom is on the left.

Thanks to Clay, Tom, and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Tom's photography, here is his website: www.tomeckles.com