High Steppin'

Look who's around.. a whole covey of Gambel's quail have come back to my yard.  I think it is the lure of the birdseed, fallen on the ground from the feeder which has attracted them.  Then again, the water dishes alone may have drawn them out, since finding a good source in the winter months from which to drink can be difficult. 

Whatever the reason for their reemergence since earlier in the autumn, I'm happy to see them again. They are one of my favorites, even if they are sometimes hard to capture.  They are speedy and usually  high steppin' it!