The quince was beautiful when it was in bloom last summer.
Quentin the quail used to come visit and hang around under it.
You may remember that he was the last of the many quail that used to live around here until our area got built up and turned into a dog walk for the subdivision about half a mile away. Quail and dogs on the loose just don’t mix, and the quail were the losers.
I last saw Quentin about a year ago, and I’m sure he has gone to quail heaven now.
But I loved having him around for visits now and then while he was still alive.
Q is for Quentin Quail in the quince.
wordsfromanneli 
December 17, 2024 at 1:50 am
The little quail are so cute. We have many, many of them here. It’s too bad the dogs have taken such a toll.
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December 17, 2024 at 6:46 am
It’s mainly the off leash ones, so their owners are really responsible.
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December 17, 2024 at 9:10 am
Agreed. Off-leash dogs belong in off-leash areas and even then, they still need to be under control.
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December 17, 2024 at 10:33 am
Yes, and legally, they should be leashed on any roadways, but because we have two dead end roads here, people think it doesn’t count and they can let their dogs run. Some let them go into any yard that isn’t fenced. It’s so disrespectful. Again, NOT the dogs’ fault.
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December 17, 2024 at 11:29 am
I agree; it’s definitely not the dogs’ fault. But that’s very disrespectful human behaviour. They’re probably the ones who don’t pick up after their dogs, either. Ugh.
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December 17, 2024 at 5:14 am
Such cute little birds but defenseless against the dogs. Have a good Tuesday Anneli. Allan
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December 17, 2024 at 6:47 am
Sad changes in our neighbourhood over the years.
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December 17, 2024 at 5:41 am
Sad that your quail are gone… Glad you got to see them while you did.
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December 17, 2024 at 6:48 am
We used to have living carpets of quail moving across our yard. 40 or more in a bunch.
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December 17, 2024 at 6:29 am
Your quail’s a cute one. From what I’ve heard, conditions for them in south Texas were so good this year that multiple broods hatched throughout the summer and fall, and coveys are everywhere. As for the quince, I can’t hear the word without remembering the last verse of Edward Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat”:
“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.”
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.”
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December 17, 2024 at 6:50 am
Another one of my favourites! Thanks for the reminder of this poem, Linda.
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December 17, 2024 at 6:57 am
What cute neighbors you had Anneli!
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December 17, 2024 at 7:05 am
Yes, Quentin was always a friendly little guy. I’m sorry he’s gone, but he was lonely, being the last survivor. He used to visit the front door and look into the window there at his reflection. I think he thought it was another quail. Poor little guy.
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December 17, 2024 at 7:13 am
How sad, but it’s nice how you make friends of the local critters.
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December 17, 2024 at 10:46 am
We have and acre with a lot of trees and shrubs and I put birdseed out, so they like being here. Food and shelter.
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December 17, 2024 at 1:14 pm
It seems you’ve created your own nature retreat!
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December 17, 2024 at 9:48 pm
We left the cover with birds in mind but were rewarded with so much more.
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December 18, 2024 at 7:13 am
😍
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December 17, 2024 at 7:21 am
Any chance he moved off to a more fit habitat?
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December 17, 2024 at 10:44 am
It would have been a geographical challenge getting through too many neighbourhoods of dense housing. Beyond that there might have been a small covey, but they were too far away for him to even hear them when they called. (Couple of miles away – not likely to happen.) I don’t think that covey is around anymore either.
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December 17, 2024 at 6:23 pm
Darn. I guess that’s the circle of life.
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December 17, 2024 at 8:21 am
I guess he died of loneliness, or someone shot him. It´s so sad but at least you had him once in a while.
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December 17, 2024 at 10:41 am
I don’t think anyone could shoot him here in our neighbourhood. Too many houses and people. But he was several years old and they don’t live forever. Also we have a lot of hawks and owls around here. I have a picture of a hawk walking up and down our walkway looking for him after he just missed getting a grip on him. He didn’t get him that day.
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December 17, 2024 at 9:06 am
What a perfect pairing. A shame you don’t see him anymore.
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December 17, 2024 at 10:34 am
We miss seeing him. I’m sure he’s gone forever.
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December 17, 2024 at 9:44 am
What a wonderful thought of having a quail (that you emotionally attached to) included in your amazing Advent calendar! Q is very close to Z. Not very long to Christmas Day!
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December 17, 2024 at 10:30 am
We used to love getting visits from Quentin. I was sorry that he was so lonely, always looking at the reflections in the glass for a buddy. They are not solitary birds, but he was the lone survivor and he lasted for a handful of years that way.
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December 18, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Your quince in bloom – such a joyful site!
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December 18, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Yes, back in the summer time.
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