Backing away..

Sometimes you just have to back away and leave things to nature.  I headed down the pier to catch the sunset this evening.  With a slight cloud cover, it promised to be another lovely day's end.  No sooner had I stepped on the pier than I heard a loud chattering in the oak tree that overhangs the marsh.  Uh oh..something was bothering the Redwinged Blackbird mama.  I pondered if some critter was getting a bit too close to her nest.  I peered up into the tree.  I could see her but could not tell just what had her so upset.  Shrugging my shoulders, I continued my hike.  The sun was setting fast and if I was to get any pictures at all, I had better hurry on my way.

Just three steps further and I heard another bit of chattering.  Daddy Blackbird had joined the ruckus!  The "General", who sat high in the dead pine tree, joined in also by giving orders to young Mama and Daddy Bird.  If need be, he would join in the assault on whatever marauding critter was raiding the nest.  Once again, I stared at the birds trying to figure out where the nest was.  Surely, I could chase off any critter that was aggravating my birds..but I could find nothing out of the ordinary.

A few more steps and I was nearly binged by the young male bird!  He swooped from the oak limb to just inches above my head.  When I looked up, both adult birds were swooping at ME!  I WAS THE PREDATOR!  Oops!  Somewhere near a little bird must be crouching..hiding from the human monster that was traipsing in the wrong area!  I stopped in my tracks!  Aha!  There just three feet from me was the little tyke.  It was clinging to the marsh grass all the while trying its best to be stone-still.  With the two birds still attacking from above, I took two pictures of Little Squirt and then eased back a bit.  I had no intention of startling the little fellow any more than I already had.

Mama and Daddy Blackbird stopped their swooping and sat back on the oak limbs.  Their scolding did not cease until I had backed a good twenty feet away from the little bird.  From his perch in the oak tree, General let out a high screech to let everyone know that the danger had passed and all was well on the Bayou once again. For me, it was good to see that the little one was trying to learn to fly.  By tomorrow, he should be well on his way to flitting about the hillside with his mama.  Life goes on as long as we learn to let it.  Sometimes we just have to back away and let nature take its course.  There will be other sunsets.