These two roam my neighborhood but they have a special affinity for my vegetable garden.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
In the early evening two days ago while I was beginning to prepare dinner I looked through my kitchen window and saw my resident pair of California Quail dust bathing in my garden. Of course I wanted photos but in that situation there’s always a problem. Since I want to avoid shooting through glass I have to open my French Doors to shoot from my kitchen and birds always seem to be spooked by the moving reflection in my door glass while I’m opening the door.
That’s exactly what happened with these quail. The instant my door began to move both quail left my garden and high-tailed it across my lawn to hide under my wooden deck. When I took these photos both of them were really scootin’ across the grass.
This is the handsome male of the pair. When I took this shot he had stopped running for just a second.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
And this is his more subtly colored but just as attractive mate. She was following him across the grass and within seconds after this shot was taken they both disappeared beneath my deck.
I have hopes of them raising their family in my back yard. In at least two previous years California Quail have nested beneath my storage shed and it was great fun to watch them for weeks with their many chicks through my kitchen windows. If you haven’t seen hordes of tiny quail chicks learning how to dust bathe you’re missing one of the joys of existence.
I realize that many of my followers visit Feathered Photography to see birds photographed in natural settings so apologies for the manicured grass. But in these difficult times when my excursions to more natural locations are limited I’m certainly not going to ignore quail in my back yard.
So until this virus threat is over or at least somewhat mitigated don’t be surprised if you see the occasional backyard bird posted to Feathered Photography.
Ron
I remember seeing them in as a kid in California (of all places). Very nice to see a close-up. Nice lawn, too.😉
Lyle, the lawn’s actually looking better this year. Because of my back issues I’ve started having my “lawn guy” do all the work on it and it’s paying off, except with my bank account. 🙂
I love the wild birds in our yard. I often take pictures of them. Wonderful pictures of the Quail.
Thanks, Jean.
Your yard birds are incredily exotic to me (as I suppose mine would be to you) so I have less then no problems with you posting photos of the beauties.
And birds bathing (whatever the medium) is always a joy (and often a hoot).
It’s an understatement to say your birds are exotic to me, EC. And then there’s your reptiles and arachnids! I’m fascinated by all of them.
I am endlessly grateful to the internet (and to the blogosphere particularly) for showing me the wonders that other people see.
More than happy to see these handsome garden marauders in any setting! Would especially love to see some “baby pics” as well. 🙂
It’s supposed to be in the mid-90s today. CRAP! Mr. Finch hasn’t been by yet this morning — I hope he’s OK. I went out looking for him yesterday afternoon, as he missed his “evening session.” I was worried that I’d find a little body along the side of the house. I’m hoping he’s off with his lady, makin’ babies. 🤞
Marty, if I get pics of quail chicks this spring believe me you’ll see some of them! They’re cute as hell but tough to photograph.
I hope your finch is ok Marty.
No problem with yard birds! I see more species in our yard than on the trails. Lovely captures. My NIKON D-500 has a shutter that doesn’t fire off most of the time. Thats troubling since the only camera shop is forever away from me. Oh well,
Your shutter problem sounds extremely frustrating, Linda. I had to have a shutter replaced on one of my 7D’s after I reached a very high shutter count.
We have had a lot of rain this winter and spring and the saguaro are now in bloom which means that soon my yard and neighborhood will see lots of Gambel’s Quail families! This year for the first time I have seen quail mating in my yard. Yes indeed, the chicks are coming. The chicks are coming!
Pat, it almost goes without saying that I’m jealous of your saguaro!
I don’t mind at all. We have so many in my garden I can not grow lettuce, peas, chard and often green beans. as soon at the tender plants pop out of the soil the quail eat them. The last time I grew beans I had to put a clear plastic cup with air holes over each plant til they where 5 inches tall.
Hope your morning is more successful today.
April, I’ve had problems with other birds eating my seedlings but not quail that I’m aware of. But they can sure do some serious excavating in my garden when they’re dust bathing.
I have a family of California quail hanging out across the street until they come in to feed on my quail block along with everybody else. I get to see the group of little ones scurrying along with their parents regularly and that’s a good thing 😉
The other day, Jack (male HAHA) was perched out in the garage, and when I opened the door to get to the Jeep, he stood straight up on his perch. I looked to see what inspired his rapt(or) attention and the male quail was perched on the fence post across the street. As I closed the door again, he leaned down to a squat on his perch, keeping his eyes on what he considered a possible meal! Paired with wings, I want raptor eyesight, too! Jack can occasionally catch one, but while he fails far more often than he catches, he still LOVES chasing them!
Laura, are you sure your quail aren’t Gambel’s Quail instead of California Quail? Based on range maps that would be my assumption but then I didn’t see them…
One of my very favorite birds! I lived in Centerville for a little while and we had lots Quail in our yard and neighborhood. I love their calls. I love their funny little ways. I love the single file lines they make as a family going to and from the garden. Thank you for sharing your Quail!
I agree, Juliana – the quail behaviors you describe are certainly fun to watch.
My yard in the Sugarhouse area is visited by California Quail, and many other birds. Most frequent now are a Mallard couple in the free food line under the bird feeder. They are a lot of fun to watch and so is the squirrel who has shown up this year. I am amazed at the variety of wildlife I see in the middle of the city.
Betty, I also used to see a fair number of quail when I lived in Sugarhouse.
Truly a beautiful pair, Ron. Please do post any and every backyard bird, shed bird, deck bird and etc……
Every bird is worthy !
I do hope your pair raises their family in your yard!
I currently have a nesting pair of eastern bluebirds!
They happen to be my favorite! Also my fav song currently BLUEBIRD Miranda Lambert “ I’ll keep the light on in my soul and the Bluebird in my heart” This song has a lot of meaning that resonates to me and my situation.
Yesterday, I watched a pair of eastern meadowlarks on the fence posts. Not sure what exactly the ritual was but one of them was making a complete fool of his self With a sort of dance and fly up! It was quite the spectacle with their wild vivid colors !
Please keep sharing whether it’s natural habitat or backyard habitat. We can never have enough pictures of birds!
Happy day to all
Suzy, what you describe may be the “jump flights” of the Eastern Meadowlark. Competing males do it and so do males trying to impress a female. This from Cornell’s Birds of the world:
“During spirited boundary disputes, males spring upward to height of 1 m and fly to point several meters away. In this Jump-flight, wings are fluttered in exaggerated fashion over back, legs hang limply, tail is elevated. In dropping back to ground, wings are still extended vertically. Second male follows with similar Jump-flight. Both males may continue with posturing at new locality. Jump-flights may be unique to meadowlarks among the icterines.”
Ron, I’ll take photos of CA Quails & other birds wherever you happen to find them. We also understand that you don’t have the access to your favorite wild places. I know I am missing my visits to Green Cay Wetlands & now Florida’s daily highs have reach the 90s & this morning at 6 AM it was 80!! Who wants to be outside with those temp!! I’m so glad you were able to catch both Quails since I’d never seen a female before. Such interesting looking birds!!
Thanks, Jo Ann. You’re tough to be able to put up with those temps this early in the season. And then there’s your humidity – that I simply can’t take!
I’ll take a picture of a beautiful bird anyway you give it to us 😁 Funny, my favorite would be the Bald eagle and my husbands is the California quail ❗️ You’d think it would be the opposite.
Take Care Ron
Thanks for the encouragement, Diana.
They are fun to watch. We have Gambel’s Quail here. I have not looked up in Sibley’s to see what the difference is. About ten years ago we had a small tree growing in a half wine barrel on the front patio. A pair nested there and had 15 chicks. During the process the female disappeared. She may have been hit by a car or taken down by a hawk, but the male came back and faithfully sat on those eggs day after day until they hatched. Then when they were ready he coaxed each one to jump down out of that barrel and when that long process was done, escorted them out through the gate and up the street always staying close to the houses and under shrubs. It was quite an experience to witness.
Everett, I too live where Gambel’s Quail are plentiful and I have noticed that every year there are males raising chicks on their own. Often the females leave to join another male to raise a new family. I have also seen 2 males raise the chicks. I love the variety! Without a doubt, these quail are my favorite birds!
Everett, the primary difference I notice is that male California Quail don’t have the conspicuous dark patch on their lower belly like Gambel’s quail do.
Beautiful birds manicured lawn be damned! 🙂 I would love to see “babies” learning to dust bathe! In photos the male’s colors show up well but, like other birds, they manage to camouflage VERY well when needed…. The quail HAVE to be spooky – tasty tidbit for many things. 😉
Bit of a mystery – have a kingfisher but it’s much smaller than normal and voice less loud – probably due to size. I’ve only seen it in silhouette on the power line and heard it, of course, so no idea on color!
“The quail HAVE to be spooky – tasty tidbit for many things”
Judy, I’ve heard that Cooper’s Hawks in particular love to prey on them, though I’ve never seen the attempt made on any of my quail. Doves are another matter…
Don’t mind backyard pictures at all, especially when they are as good as these! I’d love to have some California Quail in my backyard to photograph. I have been shooting out my back window too because, like you, my options are rather limited these days. In the last few weeks I have managed a few decent photos of a Brown Creeper, both types of Kinglets, a House Finch pair, Song Sparrows, White Throated Sparrows, and a Northern Flicker – most hanging out in a Hackberry tree that is near my back window!. And I also have some not-so-decent photos of a Hermit Thrush, Juncos, Chickadees and a Red-Tailed Hawk and we don’t have bird feeders!
Wow, Joanne. I wish I had your bird variety in my yard!
Song “English Country Garden” comes to mind with the listing of all the birds….. 🙂
“resident pair of California Quail”……you are a very lucky man!