SAN DIEGO, Calif.—An Epoch Times reader sent in a photo of two wild quail families with chicks. The photo was taken by his 8-year old daughter on Father’s Day while the family was on a nature hike. He said it was the best Father’s Day gift he could have asked for. “Our family decided to spend Fathers Day in nature. We all love nature more than anything man has made,” said Richard Boger in an email from his home in Encinitas, California.
About the photo taken by his daughter, Boger said, “We went hiking in Torrey Pines State Reserve which has been a very special place for me for 27 years, [but] I have never seen wild quails except at a glance. These are wild birds that were in a very quiet and remote area of the park, closed to most people, and a difficult climb to reach. I think these extremely shy birds let our daughter Makana get close because she has such a love and a respect for nature.”
“It was the best Father’s Day gift I could have asked for,” he said.
About the State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located within San Diego city limits but remains one of the wildest stretches of land on Southern California’s coast. The Nature Reserve covers an area of 2,000 acres of natural habitat with the native chaparral plant community, the rare Torrey pine trees, miles of beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds.
Torrey Pines offers several miles of trails with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. A small visitor center displays exhibits of native plants and animals as well as artifacts of the Kumeyaay people who were the first California residents here.
Besides the California Quail, hummingbirds, scrub jays, red-tailed hawks, morning doves and raven are some of the birds that can be seen year round at the Reserve.
Many other wild animals also live at Torrey Pines Reserve but are more difficult to see as they generally only come out at night.
The Black Tail Deer is the only deer in Southern California, and is very secretive. The Coyote, Gray Fox, Skunk and Raccoon are more common at Torrey Pines, but also rarely seen during the day. The most rare is the Bobcat which is rather small, weighing usually less than 15 lbs., it feeds on rabbits, gophers and wood rats and mice.
Many kinds of lizzards and snakes, including the southern Pacific rattlesnake, have been documented at Torrey Pines. But one is more likely to see lizzards basking in the sun, and not often encounters a snake.
Torrey Pines is visited by travelers from all over the world. Local residents come daily to walk, jog or bike, and to enjoy the stunning overlooks and peaceful natural scenery.
For more information about Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve go to http://www.torreypine.org/
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