The quail are always in our backyard. There are so many families with mom and dad and a batch of babies that I can’t keep track. One family has two babies. Another has 10 or 11 and there are families with every number in between.
The poppa quail usually finds a perch on a bench or rock to have a good view of his family while they scratch around for birdseed in the gravel, or visit the birdseed block.
A pretty momma quail mostly stays with her babies. I see the moms calling out to them to round them up and keep them close by.
Here’s a teenager quail. There are very few little itty bitties around anymore. They grow up so quickly!
Here’s a group of babies hanging out in the shade of a barrel cactus.
Three young ones making their move to the bird seed block.
This teenager has legs!
Another poppa quail on the lookout for his family.
I will miss these quail families when the babies are all grown up and they start their own family units. That will be next spring.
Happy Monday! What are your plans this week?
This post seems a little familiar.
I’m fortunate that two new birds stopped by last week, so I’ll have new birds to post.
We’ve discovered we have a new deer herd living in the greenbelt. At least 1 doe with her fawn but perhaps 2 more doe and we just haven’t spotted their babies yet. The fawn has been taught well how to stay down in the tall grass while mom forages nearby. I suspect they will join the larger herd at some point.
How exciting is that! We see deer occasionally, but they are passing through.
You say the babies start their own families next spring. What happens? Does Poppa Quail kick them out of the nest? Does he start to charge them for rent or make them get their own cellphone plan? Or is it momma, does she put her foot down and say enough is enough? I’d pay to see those interactions. Ha, ha.
I think the youngsters run off and elope. Momma and Poppa want them to stay home for their entire lives and hang out together.
They are so darling…at any age, aren’t they???💝💝💝
They are so fun to watch. The tiny babies are cutest, but the adults have so much personality.
With their fancy flourish on top…how could they NOT have personality!?! LOL! 🤣❤️🤣
So true. Their top knots make them look like clowns!
Love it! 😘
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lots of writing! ENT appointment. trying to get to the gardens and the Met for the first time in weeks.
Good for you on writing and working on your manuscript post conference. Good luck at the ENT and getting to your fun places.
here’s hoping!!
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Thanks for these! I know they’re common for you but they seem quite exotic to me. Poppa looks so proud.
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I’m glad you stopped by and have seen my latest quail photos. My photographer friend has helped me with my settings to get clearer photos.
Your bird photos are getting so sharp! Lovely shots and how lucky to have so many beautiful birds in your backyard.
I had two adult turkeys and two very young ones come through the property yesterday. The young were still mostly in “baby feathers” but could actually fly!
I’ll be going on an alpine native plant hike later this week. The rest of the time, researching and writing a section for my critique group meeting next Monday. Maybe a blog, too.
Lovely pictures Elizabeth. Through your photos I’ve come to recognize many different birds.