"After observing California quail for some time, I noticed the change in their silhouettes as they change their activity from quietly sitting to forageing in the meadows or running. At rest, they are almost like a ball, which is the position I used for this scene. When surprised, they run away before they fly off; in the air, they at once become very elegant - almost completely different birds. In this painting of a typical ground bird, I again had the opportunity to paint the stones and mosses that I enjoy so much." - Carl Brenders