Three More Feeders, and a Photog

After having some good luck 4 days ago, I took my Dad and my 2 sisters to the Metropark this morning. It didn't start well.

The lot where I "always" see cranes...yielded nothing. The path where I "always" have birds eating out of my hand...also yielded nothing. I think the 3 of them were beginning to question my bird tales.

But, then we hit a hot spot, and then birds started hitting. Everyone had the experience except my sister Terrie. I guess they didn't like her presentation. Finally, at the 2nd hot spot, Terrie hit the jackpot...with many birds.

From the top, that's the hand of Dad, the hand of sister Terrie, and the hand of sister Lisa. So fun to do.

I would love to say the day was perfect, but...I warned Dad about getting too close to the cranes. He laughed. You would think at 89 that he would have learned to listen, but I guess not.

Since he had his camera glued to his face, he didn't see the male crane make a move. Look at the picture. Where do you think the bird attacked?

That's right. The cranky cantankerous crane crept quietly like a cougar, cozied into a crouch, and then catapulted to the crusty curmudgeon and caught him...right in the crotch. Dad doubled over, and the bird went for his head...with a giant peck, peck, peck.

I dove into action, putting myself between my fallen father and the giant bird. The bird nailed me in the back and neck several times, but with a little coaxing, he finally backed off.

If I had it to do over again, I think I would have stayed with my camera. The man needs to listen to warnings, and...just think what a GREAT blip that attack would have made!

Disclaimer: Don't believe the Dad story. While it might have been fun to watch...it didn't happen. We had a nice day.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76781400@N06/albums/72157675232868521 Take a look at some more crane shots, some farm animals, and some family shots on my Flickr page.