Another Brood

   After pushing the lawnmower for about three hours, I decided it was time for a break.  It was hot!  But I had cut what I wanted to clear so all was good.  Grabbing a big glass of lemonade and the camera, I headed to the coolest place I could find.  There was a nice breeze blowing off the Bay so the pier was just the place to be.  Meandering down the board path then down the pier, itself, I came to a sudden halt.  A critter friend was out and I did not wish to frighten her.  Mama Rail was on the marsh mats created by the high tides of last week.  This is nothing unusual except for the fact that she was acting a bit strange.  Normally, my friend pays no attention to me and keeps right on hunting for food.  This time, she hunkered down in the marsh and acted like she was in hopes I would not see her.

  Well, that had just the opposite effect.  I NEEDED to know that my friend was alright.  Mama Rail and I have been through far too much for me to ignore her.  So, I sat right there in the middle of the pier for about a half hour sipping my lemonade and watching a bird.

  After a bit, I figured out what was going on with my friend.  She was trying to stay hidden as she had her little ones out for their first time.  The little black fluffballs were squatting near Mama Rail!  Ahh, time to slip on up the hillside and let the bird tend to her babies without any harassment from me.  Mama Rail has a big enough job keeping the brood safe from predators and surely does not need to fret over me.  She will bring the little ones out for me to see soon enough.  Good luck, Little Mama!