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Wednesday 5 September 2012

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

8 comments:

Nature Rambles said...

So fascinating to see birds that I'd never see in my own backyard. I love the family photo in the first shot!:) Interesting to see the 'ugly' stage as well. And the last shot...adorable!

Rambling Woods said...

Oh how sweet they are are. I love when nature shows up in your yard. Hard to imagine people wanted to kill and eat them..Oh my..where did that come from...Michelle

Kathie Brown said...

I love the quail! I saw my first ones since I returned last weekend up in Corona de Tucson. I can'tr put a quail block out in my current yard because there is a large pigeon population around here. As their name indicates, they are pigs!

eileeninmd said...

These quails are so pretty. What a great sighting. Thanks for sharing, great photos.

Celeste said...

Thanks Nature Rambles they are very entertaining little bundles and keep us constantly entertained :)

Celeste said...

Hi Michelle,
Yes unfortunately pretty mush every member of this group of birds tastes good - quail, grouse, pheasants etc but luckily for them they are prodigious breeders!

Celeste said...

Kathie, you can sit and watch the quail in my yard whenever you like, you are always welcome :)

Celeste said...

Thanks Eileeninmd, they are pretty aren't they?

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