California Quail

Beautiful California quail. Usually skittish and preferring the cover of shrubs and woodpiles, this year the quail have made themselves at home in our yard and today settled in -- right in the open -- for a luxurious dirt bath.

 If startled they run or flap away. But undisturbed our backyard friends relaxed in the soft soil just near our biggest apple tree.

A welcome visit form the state bird. A special visitor.