Hiding bobwhite (Northern Bobwhite - Colinus virginianus)
Until last Thursday, I hadn't heard or seen a bobwhite in years. Bobwhites are endangered in Ontario due to loss of suitable habitat and cold winters. Ontario bird books claim bobwhites are now found only in extreme southwestern parts of the province.
So imagine how happy I was when my husband and I saw a male and female on the edge of a field in south-central Ontario. I tried to sneak up on them to get a good photo - and then they disappeared into the brush. Hmmmm.
Peek-a-boo!
Meanwhile, my husband stayed behind, hiding behind a trash container. Imagine his surprise when he looked down to see who else was hiding!
Yep, a male bobwhite, crouched down and very still. My husband beckoned me back.
BlinkingThe bobwhite was so still I wasn't sure it was alive. Then it blinked.
I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
Excellent photos Camera Girl. It's sad to learn that there is another creature close to extinction.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if I close my eyes no one will see me. Yep, I know that trick.
ReplyDeleteExciting to find the unexpected. A beautiful bird and love all the detail in its feathers. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteOh what a beautiful bird I can honestly say I have never seen one. Lucky you. Great shots. B
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you and your husband were pretty excited. Maybe the birds are making a come back. One can only hope.
ReplyDeleteDarla
What coloring. Almost looks fake.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie! Love how she's all puffed up. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a special find.
My goodness, he is just adorable!
ReplyDeletethis is in my top favorites of your bird pics.. they are amazing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful capture! These birds used to be plentiful here, and I still see and hear them occasionally.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME AWESOME AWESOME shots! haven't seen one of these since i left wisconsin almost 30 yrs ago!
ReplyDeleteAmazing shot as usual. When I lived in Illinois many years ago, I could hear them calling and on rare occasions I saw one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find. I haven't seen quail here for some time. Of course i don't go looking for them either.
ReplyDeleteThere's no bird that can hide from you! I wouldn't have known a bobwhite if I saw one but you've changed that! Such perseverance, too!
ReplyDeleteWell done. Great photos. I've never seen one before. Here they are California Quail which we have in abundance. The babies are so cute, puff balls on two sticks.
ReplyDeleteI came back to thank you for leaving such a sweet comment. Thank you so much :)
ReplyDeleteDenise
An English Girl Rambles
They are so chubby and sweet looking. Love the close ups!
ReplyDeleteCracking shots Camera Girl. I'll bet those bobwhites are really difficult to spot with their camouflage.
ReplyDeleteWow EG, terrific find. I haven't seen one since I was child. Terrific shots!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one but hope I would recognize one after seeing these great pics!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I see them every now and then at the strip pits...never this close though.
ReplyDelete(Have you read the book: That Quail, Robert?)
What a great sighting. I would love to hear their famous chirp. Bobwhite, bobwhite.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I've only heard it in books...
=)
You must have been so excited to see these birds. I really hope their numbers increase. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteWonderful spot, fantastic captures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful close ups!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteNice shot ,Nette
ReplyDeleteWhow ... I guess you couldn't get much closer. Nice find.
ReplyDeleteBehind the wheel...I would have missed it completely, I'm sure. You have an talent...not only in sighting the birds, but your photography!
ReplyDeleteI love their call!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you actually saw these to photograph!
What good eyes you have!
And how well you know to beautifully capture what you see!
Very cool sighting, great shots of the Bobwhite!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen one in person. Very nice find and great photos also.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine your excitement at this sighting. I had a male cross my yard and go down by the lake. I didn't know what it was until I heard his "Bob White" call. I was amazed. He clearly was out of his range and was in search of a female. Once he left (this was ten years ago) I never saw another. What a treat. Thank you for reminding me ... I enjoyed your pictures ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
The bird is well fed and robust.
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome shots! I just realized something...I haven't heard the "bob white" in a long time. Maybe I haven't been in the right place or, most likely, our cats have something to do with the fact they haven't been around in a while. :)
ReplyDeleteChubby little thing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful markings on this bird!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots of the Bobwhites CG! I would love to see one of these in the wild.
ReplyDeleteLove that second portrait, this bird is adorable!
ReplyDeleteLéia
how lovely! They remind me some of a quail
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of beautiful birds.
ReplyDeletesuch a stunning bird. I understand why you were happy to see it. :)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such great pictures of a bobwhite!
ReplyDeleteWhat a a wonderful find!
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots of this beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to notice them! These are amazing captures!
ReplyDelete