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Guy Talk - Generation to Generation


Guy Talk - Generation to Generation
Photo Information
Copyright: Jane Magen (jaycee) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-09-07
Camera: Canon SX10IS
Exposure: f/5.7, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Fauna of NEARCTIC (North America) Region, CeltickRanger's favorite Bird photos -5- [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-09-08 8:18
Viewed: 413
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 58
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Gambel's Quail

Gambel’s quail are pear-shaped birds with short legs and roundish wings. Both sexes are gray above and buff below, with white-streaked russet sides. Males have a black throat and face and a head plume (called a "topknot"), a red cap and white headband. Females have a less prominent plume and lack black coloration and red head cap. The birds have a 14-inch wing span and average weight of six ounces.

The species’ range is focused in the Sonoran desert of Arizona and Mexico, but it extends into southern New Mexico, up and down the Rio Grande, up the Colorado River drainage into Utah’s canyon country, and west to California and southern Nevada.

Gambel’s quail eat seeds of forbs, grasses, shrubs, trees and cacti as well as herbaceous material, fruits and berries. They are ground feeders, generally seeking food in the morning and afternoon.


Gambel’s quail inhabit brushy and thorny vegetation of southwestern deserts. They are often closely associated with honey mesquite, although these plants are not essential to the birds’ survival. The birds range up to a mile, often along river valleys and drainages. They use shrubs and trees as a nighttime roost, resting a few inches to a few feet off the ground, a habit not typically found in other desert quail. They appear commonly in the suburbs.

These gregarious birds often join together in groups known as coveys, which may total 20 or more individuals in fall and winter. They produce a location or assembly call, "ka-KAA-ka-ka," to locate a mate or other covey members, issuing the call most often in midmorning or late afternoon. They emit a distinct "chip-chip-chip" when alarmed.

Natural predators include bobcats, Cooper’s and Harris’ hawks, cotton rats, king snakes and coachwhips, although the impact these species have on Gambel’s quail populations is not fully understood. Like other quail, Gambel’s quail commonly sprint into dense undergrowth rather than taking flight.

Humans are the Gambel’s quail’s most important predator. Hunting seasons last up to 125 days with individual hunter limits of up to 15 birds per day. The average estimated kill between 1993 and 1995 exceeded 1.2 million birds per year. Trapping in the 1800’s appears to have decimated populations, but the practice is now outlawed in the United States.


www.desertusa.com
boreocypriensis, nglen, roges, nasokoun, xTauruSx, zulfu, rousettus, goatman04, cirano, jlinaresp, maurydv, CeltickRanger, tuslaw, Gert-Paassen, anemone, yasemin, SelenE, goldyrs has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nglen: Teenage Malejaycee 1 09-08 08:24
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2921 W: 34 N: 8658] (32266)
  • [2009-09-08 8:22]
  • [+]

Hi Jane. A fine picture of the three Gambel's Quail's. I like the pose with the female looking at the two males. I must say the males do look rather smart with their black head feathers. Taken with good detail and natural colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 614 W: 0 N: 557] (3214)
  • [2009-09-08 8:25]

Splendid Jane !!!

This exceptional and very interesting capture.
Such species of birds I have never seen.
Thank you very much for this opportunity.
Many Greetings from Germany
Adrian

Wowwww... what a stunningly perfect capture BSJ.
All are beautifull and they seems happy posing for you.
Excellent technical quality and perfect composition.
TFS and cheers,

bayram

hello Jane
very beautiful your company, as your exceptional presentation
TFS
Nasos

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3825 W: 190 N: 11396] (35111)
  • [2009-09-08 8:28]

This is a real winner Jane!
The poses, the timing, the echnical standar, the composition all contribute to a wonderful capture os a juvenile admiring two adult Gambel's Quails.
Superb!
Thanks and all the best,
Ivan

Hello Jane,
A lovely and perfect capture of these cute Gambel’s quails in lovely poses with wonderful composition.
i loved...
TFS and regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1066 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2009-09-08 8:34]

Hello Jane, splendid shot of these lovely birds.
Perfect in all aspects.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Hello Jane
normally it is earlier (c. 6-7 hours) for both of us:) but great meeting in this time and we are neighbour.
This is really amazing beautiful scene. I'd like to see them in real life. Thanks for sharing this beauty with us.
technically your shot great, with focus, POV/DOF, eyes contact and composition. thanks again. best regards
Ahmet

Hello Jane,

This is really an outstanding capture of these Gamble's quail with beautiful colors, sharpness & details. Lovely POV & pose.

Thank you...Jane!

Regards

Umar

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-09-08 9:20]

Hi Jane,what a beautiful trio!You was lucky to meet a situation like that,it's a very nice composition whit great sharpness and beautifuls colors,not easy to found on TN a pic so impressive like that! My best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano

Slav Jane,
A very good capture of these beautiful birds.Very different and interesting.TFS.
Dûrzan

Hi Jane,

A trio of nice birds, so beautiful captured. Congratulations, it's always a pleasure to see your photos of birds. Hugs!

TFS

Jesús

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 15 N: 1629] (6333)
  • [2009-09-08 10:29]

Hello Jane
What a beautiful capture...very well done.
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 94 N: 5564] (17694)
  • [2009-09-08 11:03]

Hello Jane,
Great photo of these quails. Very nice pose, superb sharp details and natural colours. Good DOF , POV and composition. Lovely interaction.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 60 N: 947] (3016)
  • [2009-09-08 11:46]

Hello Jane,
what a wonderful three make this picture.
I just love their adornment on the heads.
Brilliant timing and neat and sharp capture with right exposure.
TFS
Silpa

Ha, ha, Jane, this is certainly a female eying up the boys! A fine composition using a good dof where the subjects are sharp and detailed, set against a useful , unobtrusive b/g.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Hello Jane,
what a fantastic capture of the Gambel's Quail, marvellous soft colours and very good sharpness, excellent POV and composition with a wonderful scene.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

I like quail especially how their little legs go when they run! Nice comp here Jaycee.

hello Jane

what a superb chance you have to see and photograph
these lovely birds the Gambel's Quails, fine frontal POV,
fine focus on them with excellent sharpnes and details,
i see on each one's glance a lovely expression,
and there is a lovely warm luminosity on the image, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 20 N: 1392] (4861)
  • [2009-09-08 18:50]

Hello Jane,
A handsome trio showing their gorgeous plumage. Love the way the female is looking back at the guys as if saying "OK boys, which direction do we head now?"
This image makes me long for the days of my childhood when we had wild quail and pheasants everywhere. You never see a wild bird anymore, just pen raised birds let loose by hunting clubs.
Ron

Hello Jane,

very nice picture 3 birds on the wall of your garden?
Exellent pov and sharpness with fine colours.
Intersting notes, yes the people need to killing for fun, it's a shame.Aren't birds or mammals hen each other.

Gert

Hi Jane, beautiful and lovely capture with nice sharpness and details.. wonderful clarity and composition..
TFS
Best Regards
Özgür

Hi Sister Jane.
Very good pose and very cute birds...
Colors lights sharpness of the picture great...
Nice composition...I like their masks on faces:)
Regards
Leyla

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2585] (9117)
  • [2009-09-09 2:22]

Hi Jane,
very special shot here. i like the view created by these lined up birds. Their head is so beautiful and colourful.
such a beautiful patterns on the feather.
well taken and brilliant presentation through a lovely composition.
honesty, i have never seen this species yet, even in photos.
thanks for sharing.

regards,
Foozi

hello Jane
great composition
good to see this birds together
very good details and beautiful colour
greeting lou

Hi Jane,
Impressive picture. With your own style.
TFS & regards. Ferran

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2009-09-10 7:32]

Hi Jane,
Very nice shot of this cute group :o) I like the expressions you captured.
TFS
All the best,
Selen

Ciao Jane, lovely trio in nice pose, wonderful natural colors, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

WOW!
What a shot, Sis!
You simply rock!
I love the timing and the pose!
Very aptly titled!
Goldy

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