There are lots of Gray Partridge chicks running around, despite the late
date. It's very dry here, as it usually is this time of year. I frequently
see flocks of partridges near the little stream a few hundred feet from our
yard.

Our yard is also popular, either because of the sprinklers or the green
vegetation. We keep the place watered this time of year in case the fields
catch on fire. (One fire on the surrounding farm this year, but luckily not
next to our place.)

This morning, I looked out the window to see about 10 Gray Partridges, most
about 3/4 grown. I took a couple of pictures:

http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/gray_partridge.htm

I went out to shoo them out of the yard before I let the dogs out. Trying
to direct Gray Partridges is like herding leaves in a strong wind. They
scatter under brush piles, cars, and into patches of vegetation, or become
invisible when they freeze in tall grass. Fortunately, the killer poodle is
too distracted by a recent squirrel immigrant to look for partridges.


Kelly Cassidy
Pullman, WA
mailto:lostriver at completebbs.com