One Moment in Nature is a reflection back in time to a moment of discovery as I explored the natural settings around me. Through the sharing of this moment, is my hope that readers will become motivated to learn more about our environment and its inhabitants, and become passionate advocates for conservation. One Moment in Nature is a Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

THE MOMENT

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, I took a leisurely drive up Del Puerto Canyon traveling from the bottom of the canyon (elevation 150′ to the county line at 2,200′. On the return loop, I stopped to photograph an Orange Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus) [iNat Obs] at elevation 1030 and I heard the call of a nearby California Quail. I looked across the road and a beautiful male was sunning itself on a dead wood snag, posing for his nearby covey which was hidden in the brambles below. Using my Canon R5 with the 700 mm IS lens, I was able to capture the moment without bothering the quail family at all.

As I was photographing it, he burst out with its distinctive call. The California Quail’s main call consists of three syllables and sounds like the bird is saying Chi-ca-go.

ABOUT THE SPECIES

Distribution and Abundance: The California Quail (Callipepla californica) is a common yearround resident throughout the Central Valley of California. In California, it is found primarily in chaparral, sagebrush scrub, and grassland oak; although it may inhabit riparian and foothill woodland.

Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the California Quail is categorized as a Species of Least Concern due to its extremely large range, stable population and extremely large population.

ABOUT THE AREA

Minniear Day Use Area is a beautiful natural area consisting of Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and willows (Salix sp.) along the stream with Foothill Pine (Pinus sabiniana), California Juniper (Juniperus californica) and Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) on the slopes.

PHOTO GALLERY

Most recent Blog Posts from the One Moment in Nature series.

• A Collaborative Habitat Survey to Guide Future Nest‑Box Conservation
• Bald Eagle Family in Del Puerto Canyon
• Rosy Dove Franklin’s Gulls
• Western Grebe
• American Barn Owl