Gambel quail have lived in Phoenix's Valley of the Sun for untold centuries. As mankind has taken over the area, the quail have had to adapt to human incursion. This family of the little top-knotted birds decided the best shelter from this morning's heavy rainstorm was under a car. I think they were thankful for the respite from being pelted.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I love the birds, we get a lot of them passing through the yard here too.
But, the most shocking thing is you said "this morning's heavy rainstorm" in Arizona. Bet they don't have to duck for cover very often, right?

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Dick

The folks in Arizona don't get a lot of rain each year but you should be there on the day that they do get it.

Still raining. I'm inside today looking out at a wet desert. Something just wrong about that.

I've been to Tucson twice. That makes me an expert, right? Anyhoo, we were watching the local news and the weather man was making note of the fact that the area was 4 inches ahead for rain for the year. This was the first week in October and they had had 13 inches. All I could think of was that was the reason for the signs on some of the 2 lane highways about not driving into running water in the low areas.

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Quando omni flunkus moritati.

Hope the little guys weather the storm then safely get away before someone needs to use the car!

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You're shy a few manners.

Actually, their biggest hazard is coyotes. The desert dogs are all over the place after legislation was passed that protects them from varmint hunting. They know humans are no danger to them, and they get into the suburbs quite deeply. Quail and cottontails (and small pets) are their main prey. We hear them howl at night quite often.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

SERIOUSLY? Coyotes protected from varmint hunting? How did THAT happen? Maybe need to show more old Roadrunner cartoons....

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Do or do not. There is no try.

my thought was/is that you need to check & see if someone was pulling your leg on coyotes being given protected status..... a couple of states banned organized contests for predators/snakes, but did not affect individuals rights to hunt/kill coyotes/predators/snakes etc......you just couldn't do it for prizes/money and/or as part of a contest.

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well

I stand corrected. Coyote hunting is still legal, but NOT in or near populated areas in Arizona. The brazen coyotes are very comfortable in and around towns and cities, knowing they will not be bothered. The discharge of a firearm in or near inhabited areas is illegal except under exceptional circumstances such as self defense.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Ya know that's gotta piss a guy off, trudging through the desert all day long, not see a single quail.

Then go shopping at Sam's Club and have to "shue" them out from under your car.

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NULLI SECUNDUS