Northern California - California Quail

So, there I am, rolling on my morning ride and feelin' pretty good when I see a van parked in the bike lane. I'm used to this, so I just roll on by. But as I get a glimpse of a woman with an almost-panicked expression on her face and I hear her yell something. I do a U-turn and roll back.

She is almost in tears and blubbering something that it takes me a moment to decipher. It seems that her worries are caused by a dozen of the most tiny California quail I have ever seen. They are barely big enough to be alive-- they're so small they'd be dwarfed by a ping-pong ball, even half a ping-pong ball. They're stuck in the gutter next to a tall curb, with no curb-cut in sight, frantically running back and forth as their mother tries to make them jump higher than they can. What can I do? I try to herd them so I can lift them over, but that's just silly. They are so fast.

I asked the woman if she had anything at all in her van, a poster, book, just anything at all. She came back with a child's jacket that I promptly threw in the gutter. It made a dandy little ramp.

I herded the quail over to it and up they went, quick as can be, and reunited with their frantic momma quail.

The woman was so happy, she kept apologizing for parking in the bike lane and for disturbing my ride.

I've had less interesting rides.

Great story, Curtis! Good on ya for helping the woman and the quails.

You are a HERO!

Once I stopped traffic to let a rattlesnake cross the road - he wasn't going very fast but nobody complained.

Funny story, but - me being a pessimist that I am - if that little incident cause a woman in to such a state what will happen if there is an actual emergency while she is driving.... :innocent:

UD

Funny story, but - me being a pessimist that I am - if that little incident cause a woman in to such a state what will happen if there is an actual emergency while she is driving.... :innocent:

UD

Aww, animals get to some of us.

I ran over a squirrel on my bike once and felt sick to my stomach for hours afterword. It was suicide, but I was a victim. :cry:

Great story! I had a similar thing happen last year in Joshua Tree NP except it was a turtle crossing the road who couldn't get up the curb on the other side.

http://www.geekdemusique.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/ashford-simpson.jpg
YAY! CURTIS!!!

I'm sure it was a sight. Me trying to run around in cleats, chasing tiny tiny (but quick) birds, then throwing that poor woman's jacket in the gutter.

I've always loved quail. California state bird, droopy little top thing. I've seen more this year than in the past. I was worried that the feral cats got them all.

:thumb: We must help the other species of our planet.

Glad to hear they all made it safely, good for you Curtis. I've taken many injured birds to the San Rafael Wildcare or a local rehabber, even a California gull.

Karma points for you, Curtis! :thumb:

So, there I am, rolling on my morning ride and feelin' pretty good when I see a van parked in the bike lane.

I helped a Dad fix his son's rear derailleur on my commute in this morning. I held his bike while he fixed it. I want some love for that... :D


Aww, animals get to some of us.

I ran over a squirrel on my bike once and felt sick to my stomach for hours afterword. It was suicide, but I was a victim. :cry:

Last week a squirrel ran right in front of me as I was descending Calaveras. I had visions of squirrel in front wheel and endo nightmares. However, one look at the big man on a small bike and the squirrel turned and went the other way. I swear it was just like that commercial where he was waiting just as I got near and darted in front.

Great story! That's some good karma for sure.

Right on,
Helping 2 species at once.

Last week a squirrel ran right in front of me as I was descending Calaveras. I had visions of squirrel in front wheel and endo nightmares. However, one look at the big man on a small bike and the squirrel turned and went the other way. I swear it was just like that commercial where he was waiting just as I got near and darted in front.

Here's a tip for avoiding bike/squirrel contact - hiss loudly when you see one. Really. When you do, they run the opposite way, at high speed and in a straight line. Must be an ingrained predator thing, cuz it works like magic. No more indecisive squirrel - they make a bee-line for cover.

Here's a tip for avoiding bike/squirrel contact - hiss loudly when you see one. Really. When you do, they run the opposite way, at high speed and in a straight line. Must be an ingrained predator thing, cuz it works like magic. No more indecisive squirrel - they make a bee-line for cover.

The squirrel I hit was running parrallel to me. I remember watching him and thinking "wow, squirrels can run 18mph?" Then, he decided to end it all and made a hard left, throwing himself under my wheels.

I couldn't look back. I hope I just pinched his tail.

Curtis - well written, but please don't post such amusing stories for me to read while I'm at work. At least I try to avoid 9-5 posting but man, you make it tough.


Here's a tip for avoiding bike/squirrel contact - hiss loudly when you see one. Really. When you do, they run the opposite way, at high speed and in a straight line. Must be an ingrained predator thing, cuz it works like magic. No more indecisive squirrel - they make a bee-line for cover.

I do this too, last time a squadron of squirrels launched a Kamikaze mission at me when I was riding the 3 bears a while back. I hissed and then they pulled a 90 degree turn and tried to outrun me :wtf:. Fortunately for all parties I braked enough to let them escape.

Good for you. :thumb:

Awww, what a charming story!

I'd've done the same thing. The animals were here first. That they tolerate us is amazing to me. And here you are, helping wee ones to get to their frantic mother. A big hug to you and the lady who stopped first. That kind of karma is rare.

Reading your story made my day. Thanks for being a hero to mama quail, Curtis!

Especially appropriate given the holiday Sunday. Extra points!

lol, if they could do something about it they would :p.



That they tolerate us is amazing to me.

Mmmm, quail nuggets...

Erm, *cough* I mean, uh, good work!

That they tolerate us is amazing to me.

Quail are near the bottom rung of the food chain, along with the squirrels. It is their job, their purpose in life to get eaten and to create enough copies of themselves to feed future generations of predators. They're what's for dinner in just about every predator household. :D

And butterflied, grilled quail marinated in Mojo Criollo (http://store.cubanfoodguy.com/product_info.php?products_id=175) is quite a treat. Especially with a cold beer of your choice.