Another cool, rainy day in the Napa Valley...Humph! It was however brightened, in some small part, by this California Quail (Callipepla californica) who had chosen to loiter about in one of the barrel cellars at the winery, most likely to dodge the nasty spring weather we are having. I can't blame him, I'd rather be in a room filled with barrel after barrel of wine too. What Mr. Quail didn't know was that all these barrels are now empty, having been relieved of their aging duties last week.After taking this photograph with my phone (sorry about the quality), and a bit of barrel-hopping in the opposite direction of the roll-up door, I escorted him out into the rain. Sorry Mr. Quail.
4 comments:
I know people who would berate you for carrying a camera/phone instead of a rifle into the cellar...
Risking an errant shot that misses the bird and puts a hole in a barrel of fine Cab would result in no dinner and no wine. That would be a tragedy indeed! I prefer hunting for my fowl at the supermarket and preserving the wine for the glass.
What bad luck to find a cock....if only 'twas a hen, for quail's eggs are indeed a delight in a summer salad. With a crisp white?
Thomas: Have never considered eating gamebirds.
The tradition in England is to hang quail etc. for upwards of three weeks, (by the neck until the body falls away from the head, at which time it is considered ready to eat.) This does not appeal to me one bit, especially when Thud described the taste of pheasant to me as being like dog s**t!
I prefer to admire Mr. Quail in his natural habitat...with his head intact.
VM: I'm with you...polystyrene tray with cling film, thank you very much! I'm such a hypocritical carnivore!
Affer: There happens to be quail eggs in Vinoland right now...
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