Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Quail after sunset, Point Reyes National Seashore

Quail after sunset

I just love to watch and photograph California quail. Other than shorebirds, they are quite possibly my favorite subjects. The arrival of spring means that they become a bit less secretive, as the males like to perch on tall objects and call out to let the ladies know they are there. It's wonderful to be serenaded by their song as you walk through the coastal scrub. After taking a late afternoon hike out the Tomales Point Trail to find some elk with velvet antlers, I arrived back at the trailhead right as the sun was dropping below the horizon. Much to my delight, I was greeted by a group of around a dozen quail strolling along the far side of the parking lot. It was getting fairly dark already, so I upped the ISO to 1600 and hoped that the birds would stand fairly still. Thankfully, this male obliged as he stood on a lichen-covered fence post.

See more of the state bird of California in my Quail Gallery.

7 comments:

  1. The crisness of your subjects continues to amaze me.

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  2. Oh Pat, I love your quail and would like to paint a watercolor of it. If I have your permission to do so would you please email me a copy. I will post it on my blog with reference to you when finished.

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  3. Excellent color, definition and composition.
    Very good!

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  4. There are lots of quail in my area - I love them! Great shot!

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  5. Quite a charmer isn't he? Mustn't have been hard for him to get a date! :D

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