At the beginning of a very hot day, the last of three in a row, found this small group of quail chicks and adults in the lower orchard, browsing for food in the shade.
These were the "lookout" quail, a male and female sitting on top of the woodpile in lower orchard
As soon as I showed up, they started chirping alarm sounds to the single adult quail with the flock of chicks, but that quail was much more casual and didn't seem to bother at first.
Adult California quail with chicks
Quail chicks, heading up the steep side of a leaning fence gate When the adult quail with the chicks finally did take the alarm seriously, it was a bit of a shambles, as most of the chicks headed up the side of a leaning fence gate, instead of heading for cover.
California quail chicks
Quail chicks trying to figure out how to head for cover
Overlooking small area where quail were grazing is one of the nest boxes on a utility pole...
Western Bluebird on nest box, lower orchard
Purchased at the local hardware store, this Audubon nest box is being used by nesting bluebirds
Western bluebird entering nest box
Still much activity from the two adult red-shouldered hawks in the back orchard, as they are still trying to find food for themselves, and also their juvenile.
Adult red-shouldered hawk in flight, back orchard
JUVENILE RED-SHOULDERED HAWK KEENING IN NEIGHBOR'S TREE, EARLY EVENING
Heard baby chicks in one of the old apple trees left in lower orchard near the farm, and saw it was a swallow's nest - violet-greens, I think
On the way back to the house, in the lower orchard, saw the female black-headed grosbeak in a grove of trees.
Another swallow's nest in lower orchard, closer to the house - they may be tree swallows.
Adult acorn woodpecker and nestling, old dead pine tree stump near house
Lots of noise from the acorn woodpecker nest as I made my way home, I think I interrupted a feeding.