Friday, June 17, 2011

Quail Family

It all happened so quickly. I'm sorry that I don't have better pictures to share.

Mother, Father and Chicks

Yesterday, from inside the house, I noticed a mother, father and dozen or so chicks in the backyard. 

Gambel's Quail Mother with Youngsters



They really blended in with the ground as they scratched around for food.


How many chicks below?  The 4th one at the lower right looks nearly invisible.


I didn't know if they had hatched in the backyard or what.  After snapping a few pictures through the glass window, the neighbors' cat came into the yard.  Could the chicks fly?  Yes, well enough!

See the little tuft of head feathers?


Quail Chick in Mesquite Tree



Father and Child

Happy Father's Day Weekend. :)
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31 comments:

  1. GaelynJune 17, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    What a wonderful sight. Perfect for Father's Day. Glad the little ones could fly away from the cat.

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  2. •°°• IcyBC •°°•June 17, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    This is fantastic Diane! What a wonderful bird to see in the backyard.

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  3. angryparsnipJune 17, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    You take the most wonderful wildlife photos.
    So lucky to have a Quail Family !
    I had 3 sets of Quail babies last year and even one Mum built a nest in my protected side yard. This year no babies but I have lots of Quail running around, so I am happy.

    cheers, parsnip

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  4. JulieJune 17, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    They are so adorable!!! OMG!

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  5. SquirrelQueenJune 17, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    These are awesome photos Diane. The quail chicks are adorable, I especially like the one of chick and Dad. I haven't seen any here yet.

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  6. The Retired OneJune 17, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Adorable!! I have gotten partridge photos, but never ones with babies..how wonderful.

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  7. betchaiJune 17, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    oh Diane, you are so lucky and seems to be living in a wildlife paradise. love it, how i wish i can experience something like this at least once in my life.

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  8. UnknownJune 17, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    So wonderful! I am glad you were quick enough! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Betty ManousosJune 18, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    what a wonderful finding! thanks for sharing, Diane.

    they are so cute!

    beautiful photos, all of them! :)
    betty xx

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  10. AnonymousJune 18, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    These are great photos! I love chicks.

    Have a nice weekend, Boonie

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  11. rainfield61June 18, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    They are great.

    Both the chicks and the pictures.

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  12. cieldequimperJune 18, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    So they had a narrow escape... Lovely father's day post!

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  13. Magia da InêsJune 18, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    。˛♥
    Amiga,

    MARAVILHOSO!!!

    Beijinhos.
    Brasil

    。˚ ˚ ˛✿♪♫♪
    。˛♥

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  14. ThérèseJune 18, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Lovely, lovely. rare moments and great souvenirs for you and luckily less great for the cat...

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  15. angryparsnipJune 18, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Your good luck for me, this morning I looked out and there was a Quail family fluttering by. I have babies !

    cheers, parsnip

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  16. TesJune 18, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Oh wow, what an experience. Such a blessed sighting. I would have been so thrilled to see those. Good thing they can fly! Hahaha. Happy weekend, Diane! :)

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  17. JanieJune 18, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    They're so cute! I'm glad they can fly a little so they can get away from the cat!

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  18. AllisonJune 19, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    Father and Child... for Father's Day! Sweet little birds these are.

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  19. MagpieJune 19, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    I love the watch quail families. Everyone has a job and fits right into the whole...it's amazing. That little guy with the tuft, is TOO cute.

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  20. LoreeJune 19, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    So sweet. So glad the cat didn't get them.

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  21. LindyJune 19, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    What a fitting father's day post.
    It's always a treat getting to see the baby quail. =)

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  22. JDSJune 19, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Adorable. I have seen plenty of quail "in the field" but rarely have I seen chicks, and never have I seen that many chicks.

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  23. DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVEJune 20, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Very beautiful post!

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  24. ProsperoJune 20, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    A more wholesome family would be hard to come by.

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  25. StephanieJune 20, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    Glad to know that those chicks could fly already. But I hope the cat would not come to frighten them again ;-)

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  26. Debbie LoJune 21, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Those babies are SO cute! Awwww! I love their little fluffy feathers. And the tuft of hair on that one's hair is just adorable.

    Really great photos, Diane! I hope you don't have any fires near your house?

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  27. Diane AZJune 21, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Hi Deb, No fires in my area at this time but the forest is closed as a precaution.

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  28. Martha ZJune 22, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Our community doesn't allow cats to run free. That's probably why we have so many quail. There are plenty of snakes and hawks, though, an I suspect they get their share.

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  29. Candice Suter.....SweetstuffJune 29, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Wow these are the cutest photos! Quail parents have a lot of babies don't they. And I love the little tuft of hair starting!

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  30. Brenda's ArizonaJuly 6, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    How fun to see the chicks up close - even their top knot is developing. I hope you see these again soon, so we can follow their growth

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  31. ladydazyJuly 8, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    So cute. Great shots!!!!

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