Ms. Bird has two chicks

Ms. Bird and her two chicks posing on the picnic table benches.

"She's here! She has chicks! Get a camera!" I whispered/shouted to Bonnie just after stepping out the door into the front yard Monday morning.

There, looking tentative but proud was Ms. Bird, shepherding two active and fluffy chicks through the perennial peanut ground cover in our front lawn.

It was as though she had brought them by to show them off. Bonnie struggled to get pictures (the chicks wouldn't hold still and nearly disappeared as they struggled through the ground cover).

But by today they were ready for their close-up. The chicks followed Ms. Bird and hopped up onto the back deck. Here they could be photographed through the windows.

To our surprise the chicks proved capable of hop/flying onto the wooden picnic table benches and one hopped up onto a birdbath. Once that chick was on the birdbath it was at Ms. Bird's eye level.

She took the opportunity to examine her chick thoroughly, from point-blank range. She admired and admired the young one.

Ms. Bird can not get enough of her chicks.

It's no surprise. She has been alone for so long now and here, at last, is one of her own kind and its all hers. How she must adore them.

We haven't bestowed names on the chicks. These are wild birds and there are many dangers out there. We don't want to get too attached.

But it is hard not to admire the care Ms. Bird lavishes on her little ones. She will do all she can to keep them safe.