While kayaking early one morning, I spied this Kingbird sitting at the top of a tree.
I raised my camera to capture it’s profile against the dark blue sky, when suddenly, it took flight, swooping to a nearby nest. Sitting so low on the water, I couldn’t see inside. And I just HAD to see inside.
Paddling back up the shoreline, I found a spot where I could pull my kayak up on land. Pushing through tall blueberry bushes, I made my way up a banking until I could look down upon it. Focusing through branches and leaves, I was so pleased to see . . .
little beaks. One, two, three.
Mama checked each one . . .
then flew off.
They settled down in their home. And I waited. And waited. And waited. The loons came by. The eaglet called out . I was just about to leave, when one little chick raised its head high.
When it opened its beak, I knew it sensed a parent nearby.
Two beaks showed themselves. I focused my camera . . .
And suddenly, Mom was back! With a huge dragonfly!
She stuffed it in the lucky chick’s beak . . .
But it didn’t fit! She pulled the dragonfly back, and I felt so sad for the little one who had his meal and lost it in less than a minute.
But I needn’t have worried, she tried again . . .
And this time he took it!
I think this “you-doubted-me?” look, was meant for me
Inch by inch, that little one slowly swallowed the dragonfly . . .
until there was nothing left! Where on earth did he put it?
I wasn’t able to get back to the nest for nine days, and sadly, they were already gone. I hope these little three made it!