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…
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….
Can you see her?
Here is a closer look…
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.
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 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?
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
That's wonderful! Such a strange place for a nest… isn't it? I'm not familiar with the nesting habits of quail. 🙂
So sweet. I'm looking forward to hearing about the road trip.
Sometimes I wonder what birds think when they choose a nest site, but she certainly chose a pretty one! That's a hefty clutch, she's going to be one busy Momma bird soon!
That's one of America's most beautiful birds. They should proud. I wonder if the babies will follew the mother and stick around the neighborhood. Wouldn't that be fun.
I have the same thing going on with some wrens. Momma is nesting right by our back door. I dare not disturb the nest.
David 🙂
First of all I love that planter! It is awesome. And the quail and her eggs is wonderful. That is a lot of eggs. Wow, she is going to be a busy mommy!
Wow, Noelle! I really did not see her until you pointed her out. What a lovely and unusual (for me) bird. The planter is also lovely. 🙂
A belated happy Easter to you! Be safe on your travels.
Noelle, It’s a very rainy Spring day so I thought it would be a good time to check in on you and the other Blogs I follow. Can not be out in the dirt so I am here at the computer. Such a strange place for a nest, but I guess we gardeners have found the birds will nest wherever! I love all the colors you have in that pot. Fits so well with your area of the country. Jack
what a fabulous surprise. I love these little birds and how they run along with their babies tailing behind them. Beautiful planter as well!
How lucky you were to be there that day and have a camera too! I love the photo of all the eggs and the planter. So perfect for spring. I love quail too although we don't have that type in my area. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful moment!