Ever since coming back to the land I’ve been wondering what happened to the quail. They used to be everywhere. In the morning they covered the rocks. They waddled down the driveway like little old ladies with feathered plumes on their heads. At this time of year the babies would be scurrying around them. Everything looking confused, but as long as they were together they knew what they were doing. They moved as a mass.

I hardly seem them anymore. They’re disappearing.

The foxes are eating them. I thought those little suckers were so cute. I see them, especially in the evening, sitting on the rocks. Unlike the coyotes and bobcats, the foxes have no fear. They eat the dog food, rummage in the garage looking for goodies. They eat the quail. They’ve made themselves at home.

So this is the trade off. Nature out of balance or is it nature in balance? I keep hearing there’s an overpopulation of them and it seems to be true. More of them now than there were last fall. They look a bit like cats and a time or two that’s what I thought it was until I took a second glance. I like having foxes around.

But I still miss the quail.