Tag Archive for: Gambel’s Quail

A Chicken, Flowers and a Surprise….

Earlier this week, I had a single day full of landscape consults.  I enjoy helping people with their plants and landscapes.  

My second consult of the day was with a couple who had just moved here from Ohio.  They had questions about one of the Saguaro cactus, which was leaning a bit as well as other general gardening questions.

As I was walking up the driveway, the homeowner called out and told me to approach slowly and quietly.  Then she pointed to her ceramic planter…

ceramic planter

It was a colorful ceramic planter that was in the shape of a chicken.

But, the planter itself isn’t what she was talking about.

It was what was inside….

ceramic planter

Can you see her?

Here is a closer look…

ceramic planter

This little mama is a Gambel’s Quail, who was busy sitting on her eggs.

I just love it when I am able to see nesting birds in unusual spots, don’t you?

After I moved away and she flew away for a short while.  So, I moved in and took a quick picture.

ceramic planter

She will certainly be busy once her 13 chicks hatch.

The father was close by and kept a close eye on me until I moved on.

Gambel's Quail

Gambel’s Quail are a quite abundant throughout the Sonoran desert.  In the spring, both the male and female take care of the young, who look like little balls of fluff.  They are very cute.

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I have been quite busy lately, trying to get all of my consults done and articles written.

Why?

Because I am headed out on a road trip in less then a week!

I plan to share my trip with you, (if you like) and will post more details soon 🙂

Does Your Tree Look Like This?

Beauty In The Desert….

As I have mentioned before, I am not a desert native….I grew up near the ocean.  To me, the desert was a brown place where prickly cactus and coyotes lived.

Well, I have now lived in the desert for almost 24 years and I have found out that the desert is brown, there are cactus and I have seen my share of coyotes.  But, I have also discovered that the desert is so much more then what my previous stereotype was.


Last week, I was visiting a client in the outskirts of the Phoenix metro area.  Her home was located in the foothills of the desert.  The plants and scenery around there were just breathtaking. 

Thankfully, I had my camera with me that day and I would like to share with you some of what I saw….

plants and scenery

Plants and scenery

The homes are set against the backdrop of beautiful mountains.

plants and scenery

Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia floridium) were in full bloom against the blue sky.

plants and scenery

Buckhorn Cholla were covered with unopened buds just beginning to open….

plants and scenery

It sometimes hard to believe that something so prickly can produce such beautiful flowers.

Gambel's Quail

I met a little friend, a Gambel’s Quail, perched atop of a mailbox.

plants and scenery

One of my favorite shrubs, Chaparral Sage (Salvia clevelandii), was beginning to flower.  The foliage is very fragrant and I have a small one in my own garden that I just planted recently.

plants and scenery

The familiar desert shrub, Creosote (Larrea tridentata), was flowering along with their fuzzy covered seedpods.

plants and scenery

Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) brightens the desert with their yellow blooms.  They self seed very easily and you can help the process by collecting the seed heads from spent flowers, like the one(s) above.

Prickly Pear

Many different types of Prickly Pear were in full bloom.

beauty of a plant

It never ceases to amaze me that the beauty of a plant is often in the small details.

Globe Mallow

The bright colors of Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) were on display.

Okay, I have save the best for last.  I was just about ready to pack my camera away and head for home when I saw a beautiful Snapdragon Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri).  Unlike the more common Parry’s & Firecracker Penstemon that are found in the landscape, Snapdragon Penstemon is not found often in our area although it does very well and is native to Arizona and other southwest states.

desert southwest

 It is a large perennial – it can grow 4 to 5 ft. tall.  Native to the desert southwest, it does best in areas with low rainfall.

Penstemons

 Unlike many Penstemons, this one is lightly fragrant.

Thank you for joining me in viewing some of the beautiful sights from my visit last week.  In closing, I would like to share with you my favorite photo, which is a close-up picture of Snapdragon Penstemon flowers.

Penstemons

Have a great day!

Beautiful Desert Sunset…..Storm Clouds On The Horizon