Tuesday, June 7, 2011

California quail, Point Reyes National Seashore

California quail - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

California quail are one of my favorite birds to photograph (if you couldn't tell from my blog banner and gallery page icon), and I often take trips this time of year specifically looking for quail opportunities. I was rewarded greatly on my most recent trip to Point Reyes National Seashore with a real abundance of quail throughout the park. The once exception was where I most reliably find them, and that's near the Tomales Point Trailhead at Pierce Point Ranch. Surprisingly, I didn't see a single quail in that area -- although I was nearly attacked by a gopher as I walked around looking for them. (True story! I wouldn't have even noticed it except that it was grunting at me in an aggressive fashion and faking charges at my shoe. After my initial shock wore off I tried to get a quick shot of this behavior, but unfortunately, it scampered off into the grass by the time I was able to get my lens on it.)

Perched on a fencepost - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

In addition to a lot of quail on nice perches, I was treated to some great overcast light throughout the day due to the very late season rain we had this past weekend. These three shots are of a bird I found along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, in the area of the Bull Point Trailhead. I came across three males perched together, each with an empty pole between the closest rival, and each bird gave me an opportunity for a slightly different backdrop.

Male California quail - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

View more images of our delightful state bird in my Quail Gallery


Submitted to World Bird Wednesday Blog Meme -- follow the link to check out this week's posts!
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28 comments:

  1. Martha ZJune 7, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    I, too, enjoy the quail and fortunately they are daily visitors in my garden.

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  2. UnknownJune 7, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Great close ups of a real beauty Pat. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. jocoJune 7, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Hello Pat,
    That quail is your signature bird.
    Always works for you it seems.
    Magnificent the way it is perched on that post against the louring sky. [I just checked, and it is a word :-)]

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  4. SpringmanJune 7, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    What a beautiful subject Pat and as you point out the soft light and sky really worked to your advantage. I'm always learning from you.
    You are the first person I have heard getting charged by a gopher. I wonder, do they bury their victims?
    Hey, when are we going to see some Yosemite landscapes?

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  5. Esther GarviJune 7, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Those shots are AMAZING! And what a bird!!

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  6. Pat UlrichJune 7, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Thanks, Martha! How wonderful to have quail visiting your property daily!

    Thanks, Gary!

    Thanks, Joco! I do love these birds, and thankfully they've been pretty good to me when I see them. And thanks for giving me a new word of the day -- I've never heard louring before!

    Thanks, Springman! Soft overcast light is my favorite for wildlife photography (especially when it involves purple clouds before a rain system moves through). Not only does it help bring out the details without all of that extra contrast, but it means that without shadows you can shoot wildlife from any direction. And lol about the gophers burying their victims -- it seems likely though ;-) I posted a few landscapes right after I got back, but there are many more than need processing! I have a bad habit of focusing on my most recent images, so I need to find some time to go through the rest of my Yosemite trip, since there are at least a few more compositions that I was excited about.

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  7. Pat UlrichJune 7, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Thanks, Esther! They are a marvelous bird to photograph with their intricate plumage patterns and that great head-bob!

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  8. CarlettaJune 7, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Sir Francis Drake Blvd. seems like an appropriate place to find them with their plume like head-bob that makes them appear like royalty!
    Excellent shots Pat!

    Carletta@Round The Bend

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  9. holdingmomentsJune 7, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Such beautiful markings on these birds Pat. No wonder they are one of your favourites.

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  10. fjällripanJune 7, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Great photos!! I never seen a quail in real but I can see why its a favorite,it so beautiful!

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  11. SondraJune 7, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    STUNNING--these fellows always remind me of a fancy dancer ready to preform with all the finery!!

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  12. MaineBirderJune 7, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Fabulous captures of the Quail! They are such beautiful birds.

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  13. mickJune 7, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    Great photos of the Quail and the sky background is beautiful too.

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  14. theconstantwalkerJune 7, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Such a beautiful bird tob see...your images are stunning.
    Many thanks for sharing.

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  15. Modesto ViegasJune 7, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Great photos Pat!!!

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  16. eileeninmdJune 7, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Great photos of the Quail. They are neat looking birds. I would love to see one.

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  17. Adam TiltJune 7, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Brilliant photos Pat. The markings on those Quail are just exquisite.

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  18. PatJune 7, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    They are striking birds and your photos are excellent!

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  19. FotokarusellenJune 8, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    Beautiful bird and great shots. Perfect!

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  20. jooJune 8, 2011 at 3:51 AM

    Such a beauty!

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  21. Brian RaffertyJune 8, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Pat. Enjoyed your account and super shots of one of your favourite birds and I can see why. Californian Quail are certainly a striking and handsome looking bird. Well done and keep up the good work.

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  22. Hilke BrederJune 8, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Very handsome bird, beautiful colors, beautiful intricate design! If I was a female quail he would have my heart. Great pics!

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  23. Malgorzata IngstadJune 9, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    I do understand why it is your favourite bird. Perfect pictures, all of them!

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  24. Jim CodaJune 9, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Beautiful images Pat. The background colors are fantastic.

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  25. ArijaJune 10, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    Very nice captures indeed.

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  26. Pat UlrichJune 10, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Thanks, Carletta! It is a bit like wearing a crown, isn't it?

    Thanks, HoldingMoments! I'm always amazed at the detail and variety of their patterns.

    Thanks, Fjällripan! They are a delightful bird to spend some time with, especially if they spend some time singing.

    Thanks, Sondra! They could certainly put on a good show with those costumes!

    Thanks, MaineBirder!

    Thanks, Mick! The background in this shot was actually a hillside that was quite a distance away, and with the purple rainclouds in the sky it came out with these great colors.

    Thanks, Andrew! I'm glad you enjoyed them!

    Thanks, Modesto!

    Thanks, Eileen!

    Thanks, Adam!

    Thanks, Pat!

    Thanks, Fotokarusellen!

    Thanks, Joo!

    Thanks, Brian! There's just something about these birds that I love.

    Thanks, Hilke! Agreed! ;-)

    Thanks, Marias!

    Thanks, Jim! That awesome overcast sky that day made for some beautiful colors in the landscape!

    Thanks, Arija!

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  27. Mike B.June 14, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Gorgeous images. I've seen these in central Oregon before hiding in some juniper bushes.

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  28. Pat UlrichJune 15, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Thanks, Mike!

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