California Quail Return!

 First a pair and now two, these busy birds criss-cross our yard several times a day.  The males have taken a liking to perch and keep guard on the back of the adirondack chair that was left out on the lawn a day or so ago.  The females peck their way across the lawn and into the flower beds.  I believe they are the culprits who have been scratching away the soil from around my two little tomato plants.  I don't mind because they're endlessly amusing.


Last year, a pair of adults and ten little babies suddenly appeared out of the hedgerow.  All the wee ones survived to full size and I guess they are starting to come back now.

Right outside the dining room window, one of the females got real involved in scratching out a nest size depression, under the protection of the Oregon grape while the male kept guard.  I thought perhaps she would lay some eggs, but she disappeared into the thicket.


That would have been a nice sight to balance out the views of eagles killing seagulls lately!