Quail on our place

We have had the good fortune to be visited by a pair of Bob White Quail.  They have kept me enthralled for weeks.  They first turned up at the feeder area in early September.

Male

 I honestly have hesitated to write about our
visitors.  I have become very protective of them.
They have a low survival rate. I know in my brain
this is the way nature is.
Problem?  My heart says "maybe, maybe" we will
see the offspring.

Female

 Just watching the behavior of these birds has been such a great gift. First, that they came here. Second, I am retired and have time to watch and marvel.
.

Don't forget to click on a picture for larger  
                                                                                  

Pair under our feeders

 I do wish I had a better camera. These are moments to treasure no matter what the outcome.

They visited in pairs nearly all the time. I find myself standing at the window watching for them.

The male came in a few times alone.  He would perch on the fence and call.  For such a little thing, he has a BIG voice

 The change in the story begins here with my up turned wheel barrow.  Hubby was mowing and passed by the carts and saw something he wasn't sure he was seeing.

 This is the first of at least a dozen eggs.  She laid one everyday and then began setting  Of course, I have been "checking" for her and her eggs since.  We worry about skunks, raccoons and even some birds that can find them at any time. 
We debated putting some seed closer to the nest.
I decided not a good idea as varmints might find the
seed and then the nest  

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~LaoTzu

Mama came to the feeders alone. She spent a long
time scratching and pecking.  Didn't look as if she
was eating sunflower seeds.  Insects?

This is why I have water out for the birds.  Lovely.

She toddled over to the other side of my "rock garden" and began preening.
It looks as if she noticed Daphne the Duck.

She would preen a bit and turn and look at the duck.





Life is good.

Bliss, with the time to just watch and ponder.

I believe in God, only I spell it Nature. ~Frank Lloyd Wright

 Look deep into nature, and then you                          

 will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein                      

 Whatever the next few days bring, I shall                                                                        cherish time spent with the Bob White Quail.    Texangardener