Tuesday 30 June 2015

Everybody loves a baby.

Driving back from our little town this morning, after a chance meeting with friend W and a cup of coffee at an outside table, where we met the world and his wife and had so many chats that our coffee was about cold by the time we drank it.  (but how nice to meet so many folk we knew), I came across the most enchanting sight.   And, sod's law, I didn't have my camera with me.   It would have been such an opportunity as I had plenty of time - everything seemed to happen in slow motion.

Scurrying down the middle of the Lane as fast as its little legs would carry it, was the tiniest little lapwing chick I have ever seen.  At the most four or five inches tall it was a perfect replica of its mum who was about ten yards in front of it, on the grass verge, shouting to it to hurry up and get off that Lane and into the long grass!   The baby was having none of it and continued down the Lane as far as the field gate (which was open).   By this time Mum was in the gateway and going off her head shouting at the chick.   Half way to the gate it turned and looked at me - it was exquisite.   Then it was off into the field and the long grass as fast as its little legs would carry it.   Oh for my camera at that instant - but not to be, so you must just imagine the sight.   Sorry.   But thank goodness there was not a crow, or a magpie, or a sparrow hawk anywhere near.   Only one chick - what, I wonder, has happened to the reat?

15 comments:

Gwil W said...

Sod's law. Me too. Yesterday a cheeky redstart perched on the handlebars of a friend's bicycle while she was talking to me. If only I'd had my camera . . .

A Heron's View said...

Yes, too see a young creature being disobedient, puts our hearts into our mouth doesn't it. I recall seeing a Norwegian Elk Hound pup being wacked on the head by it's mother with her paw for some misdemeanour and it made me smile.

donna baker said...

Oh Weaver, how I love the picture you painted. A baby duckling perhaps? It is a hard world out there for hatchlings. I hardly ever have my camera with me when I need it.

jinxxxygirl said...

Oh those moments when we don't have our camera.... I became so frustrated with that , that i have actually gotten better about having a camera with me... You just neverknow.... But you described it beautifully that i could see it in my mind's eye anyway. Hugs! deb

Anonymous said...

Lovely! I've yet to see baby lapwings in the flesh.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Josephine hates the camera flash. So she has learned to abandon whatever cute thing she was doing at the sound of the camera turning on. AND, we just took a weekend trip to see the grandchildren for the first time in many months. Did I remember to bring the camera? Sigh.
:) m & jb (who is only smiling at you because you are not pointing your camera at her)

angryparsnip said...

Even with out the camera you paint a lovely picture
today with your post.

cheers, parsnip

Heather said...

I have had similar moments which are so special and would probably have been almost spoiled by having to concentrate on taking a photo. That little lapwing must have sensed your delight and kept to the middle of the road to allow you more time to admire it!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for sympathising!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I'm imagining. Pretty good photo in my head.
I hate when I don't have my camera so I can appreciate that.

Terry and Linda said...

I hate having a moment like that, but then again...it's more special because it is just with you.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Joanne Noragon said...

You painted an exquisite picture. It seems it lived to learn. I had a similar experience very recently with a tiny fawn stopped on the center line to take a looonnnngggg look at me; mama a foot into the woods and staring back. Once I did see a mama raccoon swat the stuffing out of a baby that wasted time trying to open a bag of charcoal. I'll bet the deer and mama lapwing both wished they had a good means of applying a swift swat.

Hildred said...

Yes, I can imagine the sight - each evening we have baby quail out with Mum and Dad having an evening snack, and they are usually kept well regimented, but there is always the adventuresome one to cause fretting in the parents. 'Twas ever thus....

Frances said...

Oh, I could see it all! Wonder if baby lapwings are given "time outs" by their moms....

xo

The History Anorak said...

Shame you didn't get a photo. It would be good to see.