Wednesday, August 8, 2012

When the Daddy Quail says "Pip, Pip, Pip!"


A beautiful Summer's morning 
for a little adventure... 



Let's go Daddy!




There are actually five little balls of fluff...
one is a pokey puppy.
Keep watching... he'll catch up!





There he is!
Count them...  1... 2...3...4...5!





Where's Daddy? 

He's taking a sip from the stream.
And the little ones... see them climbing up after him?

Doesn't Nature provide a great camouflage?




His attention is only diverted for a minute...
then he's back on duty, 
watching out for the little guys.




And here they come!
The pokey little puppy is not so sure about this adventure.




Mountain climbing!
Mamma would NEVER let us do this.




Made it to the top! 
Now where do we go?




Over the "trees" of course!




Daddy said "Pip, pip, pip!"
Run for cover!




Can you see those little heads bobbing at the garden's edge?




Just making sure all is clear 
before we head out into the meadow.




Here we go, guys. 
Stay close!




Such obedience!




Now where are we going Dad?
This is the best day... ever!

♦   ♦   ♦

Did you know that quail babies basically hatch from the egg 
and "hit the road running." 

They are able to run around and find their own food 
just a few hours after hatching.
They remain with their parents for safety and bonding 
until they molt from down to feathers and are able to fly.

Both parents care for the brood and if something happens to one,
 often another adult will step in to help.

♦   ♦   ♦

This is our second quail family to visit our gardens. 
I'm hoping it was just Daddy's turn to take the little ones out for their morning adventure, 
but reason tells me something's happened to the Mamma.

We haven't seen any quail for several weeks... 
we miss their "Chi-ca-go" call and their "Pip, pip, pip".

Still hoping they return... they've been such fun to watch.


BTW, all pictures are taken 
through my kitchen window.

What a view...
 wonder what I'll see there today?



13 comments:

  1. Your gardens are looking so happy!Such an amazing garden.
    The succulents on the chicken feeder planter is beautifully placed and lovely.
    The poppy flower is so unusual. A veritable Eden.Jaipur Flowers
     

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  2. Such an interesting post. We do not have quails visiting us here, but  their eggs are on sale in the supermarkets. Daddy quail has such a great sense of responsibility, it put a lot of human dads to shame.

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  3. How lovely quails in your garden and you even see them from your kitchen window, wow!
    In our country (The Netherlands), I never saw quails in the wild.  In restaurants they are sometimes on the menu.  You made really beautiful pictures of them.

    Also thank you for the comment on my blog.

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  4. Your pictures are so calm and relaxing to watch. I'd welcome the quails in my garden anytime. Quails are often cooked and fried and served as delicacies in restaurants here. Some people rear them in a cage like chickens for food. Autumn Belle of http:www.mynicegarden.com

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  5. Wow! What a cool experience! They really do camouflage well don't they?! I hope Mama is safe. Keep us posted.

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  6. We haven't seen any quail or even heard their calls for several weeks now. We're still hoping.

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  7. Absolutely wonderful photos. Hope the quail come back to visit you soon.

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  8. Aw, so cute!  And what an attentive Daddy!  I hope all the little ones make it okay, and that you'll see them back in your garden before too long.

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  9. Carolyn this was an amazing shoot with Dad & kids .. You have such a beautiful garden in what most be a wonderful setting with your home .. I am green ? with envy girl ! Kidding .. you are such a nice person you have to deserve a wonderful place like this to watch nature .. my best little scenario today was the very naughty squirrel climbing my drift wood we place by the bird bath for the birds, well Mr. Squirrel had a great big drink .. I would never chase anything away trying to get a drink with our terrible dry weather .. but when he is digging up plants , that is another story ? ... I may even TELL him one day he is drinking the Robinator's bath water!LOL
    Beautiful shot from inside girl ! Hope the little family makes it through the season intact !
    Joy : )

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  10. Donna@Gardens Eye ViewJanuary 9, 2013 at 7:56 PM

    That is one fine view for sure.  I adore your quail.  i can see why you are so smitten.  They are just the cutest!

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  11. Lovely creatures! How lucky you are to have such a fascinating view from your kitchen, you get to see their adventures. I'll be looking forward in watching them with their Mamma. Hope she's okey...

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  12. They are SO sweet :-)

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