Tuesday, June 21, 2011

California quail in late light, Point Reyes National Seashore

Male California quail - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

This is the same handsome male quail that I posted some shots of last week as he posed in front of some rattlesnake grass lit by the late afternoon light. For those shots, he strolled along the bottom rail of a fence. As I sat there watching and photographing him, I took note of this fence post, which was in the direct light and had a nice background of a grassy hillside behind. I silently urged him to go up there, and after about 10 minutes or so he actually did.

California quail in late light - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

He surveyed the scene from the top of the post for a few minutes before his lady-friend decided that it was time to move on. As soon as she started wandering away, he hopped down and followed her up the hillside.

Male quail - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

View more images of one of my favorite birds in my Quail Gallery.

Submitted to World Bird Wednesday -- follow the link to view this week's posts!

29 comments:

  1. stunning shots... the light is perfect!

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  2. Just amazing plumage on these Birds!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. That is one handsome bird!
    The lighting is perfect.

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  4. I just love your photos of this little one, Pat. Magnificent!
    Anonymous aka Carol B.

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  5. Such a perfect creature! Exquisite!!

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  6. A beautiful bird I will never get tired of seeing.
    Your captures of it are stunning.

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  7. Nice shots Pat. I like the first one best.

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  8. My favorite is the first one too. Awesome captures Pat!

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  9. In the world of bokeh your pictures would hang in the Louvre. Gosh Pat, the light, the pose, the composition, the knot in the wood post, the fact that you willed him into place...it's hard fathom that a mere mortal could create such a thing!

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  10. Beautiful bird and you have captured the details perfectly.

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  11. You photos always look so professional and so well composed. Great bird and the pictures are stunning.

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  12. WOW! What a perfect photoshoot!

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  13. Splendid captures of this odd looking but beautiful bird!

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  14. Wonderful captures! Your composition and the evening light equal perfection!

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  15. Hey Pat,

    Couldn't have asked for better light huh? Great images.

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  16. ITS glorious!!! The color is amazing!! its sunkist at its best..IS that porcupine quills in his breast?

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  17. I can see why he is one of your favorite birds. Stunning images! So very beautiful against the golden background. Sensational detail and lighting. Lovely feathers. I am always in awe of your outstanding eye and talent!

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  18. Amazing photos, perfect light and the bird is just so beautiful!!
    Have a nice weekend :)

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  19. Nice light and color Pat. Like Sondra, I wonder what those things are sticking out of his chest.

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  20. What wonderful pictures -- and I'd love to take lessons from you in 'silently urging' birds to do what you want them to do ;>)

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  21. Wow! I love the beauty of this bird...and you captured wonderfull image under a superb light ;)

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  22. this is such a goregeous bird. And the photos are superb. A question thouhg. What is the three "needles" he has on the front?

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  23. How do you know it's the same quail? Great shot, love the colours - we don't have birds like that in Australia.

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  24. Thanks for your kind words, everyone! Sometimes the unexpected encounters are the best! As for the "darts" on its breast, I'm not sure what they are, but I would think that its some kind of grass or thistle. It was walking through a heavily vegetated area before jumping on the fence railing.

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  25. Thanks, Kathie -- I know it's the same bird since I was watching it the whole time as it moved from perch to perch.

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