is bestowed by Nature.
It's an award you'll forever treasure.
 |
And how do you know if your gardens have been selected
for this Honorary Award?
It's simple...
Nature's little creatures
choose to make your gardens
their home.
 |
Male California Quail |
And for the second year in a row,
Mister and Madame Quail have given
This Grandmother's Garden
that very distinction.
What a pleasure it is to receive it.
For weeks we've watched these two walking about our gardens
hoping they would choose to stay...
and they did!
 |
Female California Quail |
Mister Quail is quite smitten.
He never lets her out of his sight.
He oftens find a perch to sit on
where he watches intently.
He is the sentry in charge of her safety.
Madame Quail goes about her business
of pecking the ground
for morsels of seed and bugs and buds.
Occasionally she can be seen
carving out a bowl shape in the dirt
and plopping into it
as though it were a bathtub filled with aromatic herbs.
We have lots of those bowl shapes in our gardens.
Silly Madame Quail.
Devoted Mister Quail.
Sometimes he chases her
and she runs away.
But then she lets him catch her.
Isn't that just like nature?
 |
Anyone want a piggy back ride?
We have fun...
watching them have fun.
Don't move.
He's looking right at you.
If he senses danger he'll signal her to run.
Those little legs can move really fast.
And if you startle them...
they'll flush and fly to safety.
 |
Mister Quail on Sentry Duty |
I'm careful not to let that happen.
I want them to feel safe in their new home.
Next post we'll welcome the Little Ones...
Can you guess how many babies we have?
♥ I should note that Quail are not the only little creatures that call our gardens home.
They just happen to be the ones we're squealing with delight over today. ♥
All content created by Carolyn Bush | Copyright © 2010 - 2013
All Rights Reserved | This Grandmother's Garden
Highland, Utah, USA
Well, I am honored then, because I have many little guests in my garden!
ReplyDeletelovely little birds, and beautifully dressed!
ReplyDeleteThey would be fun to watch. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
They would be fun to watch. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
How exciting! They sure are beautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos my friend! Isn't it a wonderful feeling to have all that nature around you?!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Beth P
Oh, that is so true about the highest honor. That makes me smile. The quails are beautiful birds, and you must be so happy and proud to have them as guests!
ReplyDeleteHow very special...I love these beautiful creatures and wish we had them...but the many birds calling our garden home is quite an honor for us.
ReplyDeleteI do feel honored when I see the many birds that nest here. Even the bunnies and foxes bring smiles to my face. Your quail are adorable. Congratulations on creating an environment that both humans and wildlife enjoy.
ReplyDeletesuch pretty little birds - isn't it exciting when they decide to make the garden their home. Can't wait to see their offspring :)
ReplyDelete