awwww look at the cute quail babies I luv how they usually follow each other in a row behind mama

LOVE quail babies! So dang cute! Everything in your yard looks beautiful!

Nice Susie - especially the quail babies;o)

I don't know about this retirement thing. The things I see on my 'hood when I would have been at work are killing me. The quail family is down to one chick as best I can tell. Yesterday there were a mom, dad and 2 chicks. The lion kitty is killing them. I tried to save two but cat snatched them and ran day before yesterday. Today I was sure just the parents were survived. The cat was stalking the parents and of course the father was freaking out. The mom was just standing near the sidewalk. I scared the cat away. About 1/2 hr later I heard wild flapping and ran to the front yard... the 2 adult quail were obviously shaken. I saw the cat run off. I figure the cat may have had the mom in a hold but I scared it away. I went about my business and about 1/2 hr later went to the front yard. The dad was on the neighbor's roof looking around. I didn't see the mom. Very quiet and just looking. It came off the roof and walked near me. I went into the house and looked out the front window. I saw ONE baby join the dad and they walked around the corner. If I could kill the cat I would. I'm sure it succeeded in taking out the mom... and I do believe the mom sacrificed itself for the one remaining baby. TBC.
The gal behind me has a new puppy. She lost her Springer Span. about a yr + ago. He died on a cold Dec. night alone in the back yard. The puppy is left in the back yard alone (whilst she's in the house) and cries. I keep going to the fence and talk to it.... she comes out and tells it to be quiet. Nicely. But, WTF? The other neighbor puts the grown dog in the garage whilst they are away from the house. A nice sociable family with a 5 yr old. But, why leave the dog in the garage? Ugh. I need to go back to work!

I think these are Veros. There were 3 hanging on the wildflowers.

Bathing Starling. They are constantly bathing. I guess they just like it.

I don't understand why people even have pets if they leave them locked outside all the time... especially if they were evil enough to leave one outside in the cold and it died... My FAVORITE pet growing up was our Springer Spaniel, and it was THE sweetest dog you could ever meet... it breaks my heart and makes me mad knowing that's what she had... It would be hard to not call the authorities... but anyways, boooooo enough of that sadness... you're yard is looking lovely and your birdies are so cute... sorry about your quail... I hate cats... I scare away any cat that comes in my backyard... is there some way of repelling cats... like cayenne pepper or something... maybe over time if you can repel them the birds will learn your yard is safe and stay there and not venture too far... I hate that they cats get my dogs worked up, that they sit on the fence and taunt them... my neighbors feed every freaking stray in the neighborhood... pisses me off... then the cats come use my yard as a toilet, so I can't garden much when I'm pregnant because of their urine and feces, which is so potent in my soil... they especially love my plumeria pots, which REALLY piss me off... if anyone finds a way to repel cats LET ME KNOW!!! I'm tired of being alienated from my own yard when pregnant... WOW, sorry Susie... I did not mean to take over... but your sad baby quail story really got me worked up about the evil of the stray outdoor cat... (let me know if you want me to delete this )

We're cool

I FEEL YOUR PAIN!

I shooed the lion cat away the other day. It ran to one of the young daughters..... she looked at me like I was a witch. This was before it killed the family of quail.

I'm hoping they make some more babies and the cat dies of old age.... tomorrow!

FrangipaniAz are you implying that you don't like cats?

I have heard that citrus peels and chicken wire will keep cats from doing their business in your flowers. I ♥ cats but not so much when they pee and poo in my yard - boo. DON'T use hot peppers. I have read that they cause serious harm to an animals eyes and that animals have clawed their eyes out due to the burning. I have never personally experienced this but it seems reasonable and it wasn't from the PETA site or anything. It was a legit site that escapes me right now.

Chicken wire has always worked best for me.

alan

I practice behavioral science in my back yard. If I get a stray that wants to use my veggie garden for their business I set up an electric wire. The cat then selects another venue for their business. Long live the Skinner box.

The frustration of being on dial-up is having to wait a long time to see all the wonderful photos of your beautiful garden and what interesting bird shots ! I also have gone thru the neighbors cats killing my baby quails. I just wish they would not nest here. They love my potted plants to nest in. We always kept our cat inside. I love that Japanese maple. Beautiful garden !!

Thanks Linda! I kept my cat inside as well. He could travel outside to a gated, contained patio for daily R&R but he was an indoor cat. I feel so sorry for the quail... I'm certain they feel loss... not necessarily sorrow but loss. They could tell their numbers were dwindling and when I saw the dad and one remaining chick I thought it's just a matter of time. I hate those cats across the street. They were strays adopted by the neighbors. Nice idea but they are not appreciated in the community.

I am not a fan of cats either and love quail....and Springers. I don't have time to pull out my soap box (packing for the move next weekend) but . Why have a dog that you leave outdoors. My heart is sad.

Nope, not a fan of cats, but I don't hate them either... just annoyed that my neighbors adopted every stray in the neighborhood... booooo...

New activity in the condo... 2 more Starling babies.... God they are loud!

Blue wildflower.

Quail (male)

Sweet babies!