One of the delights of springtime in Tucson is the daily visitation of Gambel's Quail families. This family (mother, father and nine chicks) was in our patio this afternoon. Only the mother is in the photos. The father was in a tree, keeping guard. The chicks are teenagers: starting to get their wing stripes and topknots. I didn't want to disturb them, so I took these photos through the kitchen window, about 50 feet away, as they foraged on the patio.
It's amazing to see the strength of the little ones flying up seven feet to join their mother and landing gracefully on the top of the wall. (Click on the photos to see them enlarged.)
.
===================================================
===================================================
It's amazing to see the strength of the little ones flying up seven feet to join their mother and landing gracefully on the top of the wall. (Click on the photos to see them enlarged.)
. 
4 comments:
I love quails - what lovely photos - thanks so much. I think it's their crests I love the most.
What great photos, Pam. We don't have the Gambel Quail here, but we do see the California. They seem to have similar behaviors. Those babies follow around and have the very best communication system. What a treat it must be to see them on your patio like that.
I like the "window" view in the last photo. Beautiful!
Hi Pam - I'm visiting through I and the Bird #75. I have thoroughly enjoyed your photos and catching these beautiful birds in action. When I lived in New Mexico (about 12 yrs ago), I remember seeing a family of scaled quails on my neighbor's roof. And I've seen gambel's quails in Mesa when I've visited my in-laws. And it's been many years since I've seen California quails here in the south bay area.
Post a Comment