We rounded a bend on the morning walk and for a moment, got to watch a covey of quail who hadn't yet noticed us. I love these little birds, the disparity between their rounded bodies and that upright plume rendering them slightly goofy.

But don't be fooled -- they're valiant and brave, watchful thanks to their ground-dwelling ways. Adults fleeing predators fly away from the flock, distract the source of danger, make that pip-pip-piping alarm cry, just one in an aresenal of sounds that puts community first.