Tag Archives: Siegfried Matull

•

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.

 

• 2 Comments

•

Siegfried Matull couldn't believe his eyes. He was photographing a Bumblebee feeding at one of his hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water when an Allen's Hummingbird flew up and joined the Bumblebee!

Allen's Hummingbird and a Bumblebee share a feeder by Siegfried Matull

Sometimes there is peace on earth, if only for a moment at a feeder! Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

•

So much bigger than Brown Pelicans, American White Pelicans have been seen floating near the mouth of the Russian River. Janet Tervo recently photographed a flock.

American White Pelicans by Janet Tervo American White Pelicans by Siegfried Matull

The photo above was taken by Siegfried Matull, showing a White Pelican in flight.

To hear the sound of these birds, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/sounds

American White Pelicans breed inland and travel to the coast to overwinter. It seems a little early for their appearance but the first of them have arrived.

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

•

It is said Bobcats are nocturnal but they are often seen in the daylight here on the Coast. Siegfried Matull recently photographed a Bobcat on the hunt, with one paw up in the air. Looks like the cat with the tufted ears and bobbed tail has found a tasty rodent.

Bobcat with a vole by Siegfried Matull

And the Bobcat was successful, nabbing a Vole.

Bobcat catches a Vole by Siegfried Matull

Here is one of my favorite Bobcat photos, also taken by Siegfried.

Bobcat Face by Siegfried Matull

Bobcats are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast and they bring a touch of wild nature into our lives.

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

•

We should be seeing the first Gray Fox kits soon. In the meantime here is Siegfried Matull's photo of a Gray Fox female that recently climbed on a tree stump on his property on The Sea Ranch.

Gray Fox on a tree stump by Siegfried Matull

Gray Foxes are great climbers. Perhaps this fox is looking for lunch or her mate.

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