While trying to relax with a book as a means of escaping the horrible, upsetting, sad news about the children being pulled away from their parents along the southern border, I became distracted by lots of screeching outside my patio, right in front of me.
The Common Moorhen, one of Florida’s popular and very aggressive, territorial birds, was chasing away a White Ibis. The Ibis apparently believed his life was on the line.
It didn’t matter that the Ibis was 3 times the size of the Moorhen, and its beak was at least 10 times longer!
In the past, I’ve seen these Moorhens chasing away Great White Egrets and Great Blue Herons!
The littoral system that has grown over the years in size from its original builder-planted corner of the lake, to way past my property and past my neighbor’s as well, is the favorite nesting place of the Moorhens.
The pair of Moorhens have had their babies, and they have all disappeared weeks ago. It was surprising that this one appeared late in the season.
[ Images from http://www.bing.com ]
[ Header image from http://www.freewebheaders.com ]