Bird brain ...

Back toward the end of June through the beginning of July I witnessed an odd ritual by a tiny little bird. I would see this pretty little bird on the side of the road each day as I went to work. After the third time I saw her I slowed down to take a closer look. When I did she puffed herself up beyond recognition and started spinning around in circles. I was certain that this little bird had some sort of neurological disorder. I stopped the car and started to get out and she immediately took flight. I thought it odd but shrugged it off and went about my business. The very next day I saw her again at the same place at the side of the road. I slowed again and this time she started flapping and falling over as if her wing was broken. "That does it" I thought to myself. "Something is wrong with this bird and she must be helped!" I stopped the car and started tracking her down the side of the road. I was almost within striking distance when she stood up, looked over her shoulder (as if to say 'so long sucker') and flew away... again! I was totally perplexed and just a little irritated. The next day I saw her again at the side of the road, just sitting there. I thought to myself, "This time I am not going to get involved". So, although I was watching her, I didn't slow down... and she didn't budge! Hmmm... then the thought came to me... "I wonder if that crazy bird has a nest at the side of the road!" I investigated on my way home and sure enough she had a nest with 4 speckled eggs in it. The next picture is of the area where I found her nest. If you can see it, the blurr to the left of my side view mirror was the bird flying off.
here is a close up although not a good picture you can see the blurr I spoke of in the right upper corner...
Well, I could hardly believe my eyes when, right there... right on the side of the road... I saw a little gravel nest with well camouflaged eggs in it. Just one car or tractor swerving just a little would have put an abrupt end to the whole thing. CRAZY! Can you see the eggs in the next pictures? Still not good pictures but it was the best I could do at the time (from a slow moving car).
































After talking with some of the locals I learned that the crazy little bird was a Killdeer. I also found it very interesting that it was the Killdeers' nature to build nests in open areas, preferably in gravel (heaven only knows why). The farmers are used to this and keep a look out and try to protect these goofy little birds. We all watched attentively for the eggs to hatch. I so wanted to see the little babies. But, once the babies hatched they all headed into the brush. We stopped hearing the beautiful song of the Killdeer and never saw her or her babies again. If she returns next year I am going to try to get some better pictures :)