Quail Report - 2 Weeks

We've had our quail chicks for two weeks today. That means they are about 8 weeks old. They're getting bigger, and they are starting to chirp more and louder. The color differences between male and female are becoming more evident. The male (right) has a white line above the eye and a black patch below the eye - the beginning of his black "beard." The female has just a dark patch behind the eye. (Click on each picture to see them super-close-up!)






The males have a distinct blue tint to their back, shoulders and breast. (See two photos above.) Notice again the markings around the eyes, including the white stripe above the eyes that sets off the crown of their head. At full adulthood, that crown will be reddish (see photo at end of this post).

The females are more brown (no blue tint), and have more subdued markings on back, shoulders, breasts, and around eyes. Notice again the dark patch behind the eye.

This photo from last April shows the distinctive adult markings. Our "adolescent" chicks still have a ways to go, don't they? Still, they're pretty dang cute!

Quail Roost

I decided to add a roost to the quail pen, not knowing whether the birds would use it. This morning, I found that they like it just fine!

Daily Quail Report July 15

This morning I was tending the quail chicks - fixing some things in their pen and changing their feed and water . Suddenly, I heard a very loud "Chi-ca-go" call of an adult male quail. It sounded like it was very close, so I came out from behind the bushes to see if I could find it. It was up on the top ridge of our roof! I ran inside for my camera, went around to the front of the house (so that I would be shooting with the sun at my back), and started clicking away. This was my best shot. I wonder if this big daddy was attracted by the sounds or smells of our little brood of chicks? I hope he decides to stay around.

Qual Saga Continued

Since our first post (April 22), we have seen or heard quail in the neighborhood, and even a time or two in our yard, but none seem to have made a permanent home here yet. So, we bought 11 young quail (5 weeks old), and are hoping that they will grow up thinking this is where they belong. We'll see. We're pretty excited.

Jordan River Trail photos

These photos were taken on the Jordan River Trail near our home, where I love to ride my bike.

This one shows the moon rising over Suncrest development (Traverse Ridge, Draper), taken from just across the river from our home.

Swimming lessons

Well, what did you expect? This blogspot IS called "Duck Soup" for a reason. It's for posting "family portraits."