The Family Unit.

They are certainly not a rare sighting in my yard but how can you not love these little charmers? They are not particularly smart and they fuss and chatter all day long but they are such a ubiquitous part of the scenery round here. When we first viewed the house, long before we purchased it, the first species I saw was the Gambell's Quail and so they were the very first post on this blog and I continue to photograph them year in, year out.
The chicks were a little late appearing this year but here are a few that I managed to get some shots of last month, just when they were getting to that scruffy, adolescent phase.

Here are Mum and Dad introducing one of their youngsters to the delights of the quail block.

And showing them were to pick up spilled seeds from under the feeders.

Checking out the yard from the wall, before dropping in for lunch!

 Remember those dreadful school photos that we all have hidden away somewhere? Is this the quail equivalent I wonder? We all 'grow into it' eventually!

So small and vulnerable

Good job Mum is keeping a good sharp look out for potential danger.

Three little bundles of feathers, so perfectly camouflaged but they've all got their heads down, I hope Mum is keeping watch close by.

Nature Notes hosted by Michelle at Rambling Woods