California Quail

Lophortyx californicus. Male

When I heard this quail's call I assumed it was mimicked by a starling because we don't normally get quail around here. Then I realised that it was too loud for a starling and went searching for it. I found him on an upturned silage feeder on the other side of the hedge. There was no sign of a female. Best seen in large.

The loss of the Pike River miners has cast a pall of sorrow over the whole country. After five days of hope the reality is so much harder to take. For the men's families, friends and community the pain is so much more intense of course. They are at the centre of all our hearts and thoughts.