Gambel's Quail Pair

The Gambel's quail is like the California quail, but it lives in the desert regions of America. All quail are generally enjoyed by people. They somehow seem like miniature versions of larger birds. In this respect they are like elves or gnomes which are like miniature versions of people. They also act a bit like the mythological gnomes rather than birds. They scurry about in little groups on the ground feeding and communicating with each other. They will run and hide if danger threatens. If danger actually occurs, they, of course, will fly to escape like so many little bullets.

I have shown this pair of Gambel's quail in typical habitat of a fairly dry, rocky hillside. I used the shapes in the rocks to echo the plump birds' bodies; the seed heads in the grasses repeat the little forehead tassel of the male.