Yep we do. Cute little California Quail. I love those guys with their silly top knots and funny ways.
This guy is the Scout. There seems always to be one that goes out ahead to make sure the territory is safe for the rest of the covey. So, he's out there doing his job.
Then we have the main group feeding. I spooked them after this getting photos and they flew. Usually one will hang behind as the Guard until everyone else has left.
I couldn't get a shot of them running through the high grass. I love how they go - all in a line, everyone hurrying along in order.
Just read yesterday that we should expect a really bad fall in terms of food for all of Mom Nature's critters. Many of the oaks have aborted their acorns due to the drought accompanied by the burst of extreme heat we had a few weeks back. I knew the acorns were falling but didn't know why. When this happens the acorns have not developed to the point of having any food value, so the creatures that depend on them - like bears trying to fatten up for hibernation - don't have that source of nourishment. Supposedly we'll see bears especially in places they normally don't go like even in the commercial orchards stuffing on oranges. I suspect Mom Nature has dealt with this many times before, but it's our first drought summer here and is curious for me to watch.
Scottie and I also did a little planting yesterday. We've got a couple of lavenders and a couple of rudbeckias along with some thyme - all fenced in in the hope that we can keep the dogs out for long enough that the thyme will be able to root. They don't bother the larger plants but seem to not recognize that the small ones are something they should leave alone.
Granddaughter Halle gets picked up by Gumpy (a short, hopefully endearing terms for Grumpy Grandpa) tomorrow and will be with us at least into the weekend. Lots of plans. . . .
Monday, August 13, 2007
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