Chilly night at the end of May

Quail

I was standing outside watching the chickens a few days ago when I saw a flutter on the ground and realized there was a quail taking a dust bath right in my own back yard.  I've seen quail in this area before - a whole covey walked through a friend's yard one morning while we were sitting with tea - but this was the first time I saw quail in our neighborhood.

Unfortunately a black cat that roams our fences also took note so I don't know how this story turned out.  I see the cat often, but I don't know if anyone actually owns it.  It looks sleek and healthy so is obviously getting enough to eat, but it may or may not have official owners.  The quail wouldn't care about such details....