A Symbol of Mother’s Day (Gambel’s Quail with Chick) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
“A mother’s love liberates.”
— Maya Angelou
Archive for the ‘Gambel’s Quail’ Tag
To All Mothers, Happy Mother’s Day Leave a comment
Female Gambel’s Quail and Two Chicks Leave a comment
Female Gambel’s Quail and Two of Her Chicks — Image by kenne
Gambel’s quail are found almost exclusively in the southwestern United States, mainly in Arizona.
Their range extends into Mexico, east to parts of Texas, west to California and a small part of southern Utah,
Nevada and Colorado. Source: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
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Gambel’s Quail On Patio Wall 2 comments
Gambel’s Quail On Patio Wall — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Was relaxing at home
When an old friend comes calling
A timely visit.
Moments in time go
Something can not be explained
Making us connect.
— kenne
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Sunday Morning Quail Walk — Photo-Essay Leave a comment
Sunday Morning Quail Walk (Gambel’s quail – Callipepla gambelii)– Photo-Essay by kenne
(Click On Any Image For A Larger View In A Slideshow Format)
As quail families go, this is a small family — two chicks and two adults
(the male is not pictured because of his scout position).
This family was probably much larger at one time since the female may lay six to nine eggs.
Snakes and other predators may eat the eggs before they hatch,
and survival doesn’t get much better as little chicks.
— kenne
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Gambel’s Quail 2 comments
Gambel’s Quail Eating Cactus Fruit — Image by kenne
Fleet at foot
Always on the move
Prince of speed.
— kenne
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Out The Gate — A Quail Family Photo Essay 2 comments
A follow-up to an April 24th posting, Gambel’s Quail Nest.
Nine quail eggs
under Rosemary
in the planter
near the fountain –
I bore witness
to her love
learning how close
I could get
before startled
she would fly away.
For three weeks
I would check
as the sallow nest
became deeper
in the gray soil
like a fallow
planted with eggs
disappearing under
her pale gray feathers —
a love supreme.
For a bird easily startled
she was never bothered
by my time on the patio,
seeming to know
my presence helped
run off predators
while the stately
red-capped male
kept his distance —
a love supreme.
The hatching day
had finally arrived.
Knowing baby quail
leave the nest runners
not able to fly
nor leap the planter wall,
let alone the patio wall,
I listened to the male
calling as she jumped
over the planter’s wall
as if expecting
the nine chicks
to instinctively
follow her — why not?
Isn’t that what
they are born to do?
Adding to the commotion,
I walked on the patio
as the adults retreated
into a large mesquite
where their view
was over the wall
while expressing
their displeasure
with my presence
near the nest.
Once I left the patio
the two adults were
soon on the patio wall
gauging each step.
Time was working
against the adults
their movement
becoming more frantic
evidenced by a king snake,
having already
picked up the scent
of the hatched eggs,
moving outside
the patio wall.
Inside the planter
the chicks were
running in circles
calling out in response
to the adult calls.
It was time to help
the quail family,
turning the planter
on its side,
the barrier was removed.
The chicks ran
from the planter
scattering, but
following the adult’s
calls from outside the
south patio wall.
In a matter of seconds
the speedy chicks
were through the gate
gathered by the adults.
Images by kenne
With each passing day
I see adult quails
near our home
wondering if they
are the nesting quails
that spent three weeks
on our patio and
now many of the
nine chicks are still alive —
a love supreme.
— kenne
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Gambel’s Quail Nest 1 comment
Nine Gambel’s Quail eggs in the patio planter.
About a week ago we had a new resident move in on our patio. I didn’t know she was there until one morning I was adding water the the fountain near the rosemary plant, when all of a sudden something flew out of the planter, scaring the shit out of me. At first I thought it was a dove on the wall I had not seen as I approached the fountain. It was only till the next time a similar happening took place did I realize the bird was coming from the planter. Since the bird was over the patio wall so quickly, not getting a good look, I assumed it was one of the many doves frequently seen around the fountain.
Patio fountain near rosemary planter.
I decided it was time for some investigative work and checked out the rosemary plant. What I found was nine eggs under the plant. With that many eggs it was for sure not a dove. It was probably a quail, but when she was on the nest it was difficult to till for sure. She is often on the nest when we are on the patio late in the day and evening, not seeming to be bothered by our talking and music nearby.
To make sure our new resident was a Gambel’s Quail, this morning move closer to the planter, as I crossed her comfort line she flew out over the wall, this time getting a good look at a Gambel’s Quail.
Images by kenne
Those of you who have followed this blog over the last few years know we have a resident Western screech owl near our front entranced under the tile roof on a somewhat hidden beam. The owl usually spends every other day here, apparently alternating with another daytime home in his nighttime range.
We did have a resident packrat, however we evicted her. We also have a resident gopher snake, but he tends to stay out of sight in appreciation of Joy’s fear of snakes.
— kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 