Don't Mess With The Babies!

This past week has been very entertaining, as one red-headed woodpecker fledgling has emerged from the birch tree nest. While the little one has been flexing his wings, Mom and Dad have kept close vigil over our yard.  I have been impressed with their tenacity, as no other birds have been allowed to come anywhere near "junior".  Even the usually aggressive Blue Jays have been looking over their shoulders as they approach the feeder.  If they do stop for something to eat, it isn't long before they are violently attacked by the woodpecker parents. Fortunately, we have been spared from this overly aggressive behavior.  It appears that they are only attacking other birds.  Even the dogs have been left alone.

Today, however, I inadvertently became the target of a totally different bird parent. I decided to launch my kayak and take a spin around Tichigan Lake, Tichigan Marsh and the Fox River.  The weather was perfect, and I was doing well cruising toward the bridge where the marsh meets the river.  Unfortunately, what I believe was a Forster's Tern had other plans for me.   As I slowly paddled near, it quickly took off from its post atop a striped buoy.  In what I can only describe as something out of the movie "Birds", it flew straight toward me, calling out and narrowly missing my head.  It proceeded to circle around several more times in attack mode, while I defended myself with the kayak paddle.

As this was happening, I thought to myself, "Hey...I'm the bird lover here.  I feed you guys all the time and even write a blog...you don't have to fear me."  It didn't take long before I heard the chirping of two chicks on a nearby nest of vegetation. Just like with momma bears, I realized that I did not want to get between this bird and it's babies.  I immediately spun the kayak around and headed back toward the lake, while the tern returned to its post.  Despite the change in my plans, it was a thrill to see this display, and it actually made my day.  Venturing up the Fox River would simply have to wait.

Note:  I like to use my own photos in my blog, but in this case, I had to settle for a web image of a Forster's Tern.  Even if I had taken my camera with me, I never would have been allowed to snap a shot!


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