Lately..

There is a bird that I see in the field every time I go outside.  He's different from the other birds.

I flat out told him one morning:

"Dude, I think you're lost.  See your super long legs?  You should be by water.  Willard Bay is that-a way."

He didn't listen.  I looked him up online and discovered he's a Killdeer.

I found that picture of a Killdeer online.  Honestly, I think ours is cuter.  So I studied up on this little bird and found out that they often leave the water to make a nest.  They choose places with gravel and don't actually build a nest, they just lay their eggs among the rocks on the ground.

So today, I did a little stake out.  I watched that mother bird and noticed she sat in one place most of the day.  So naturally I went out to see, and I found this!

I was thrilled!  She ran away into the watermelon plants while I took the picture of her fabulous eggs.  I complimented her on a job well done.  I was full of anticipation thinking of those darling little Killdeer chicks running around.  And then... I felt suddenly very sick.    My stomach dropped and I looked at that Mama bird with a terrifying realization.

Somehow, some way, I have to keep this monster of a killer inside until those babies can fly.

Heaven help us all.