As I mentioned the other day, I spent Saturday morning wandering the trails at nearby Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Not only did the weather cooperate nicely but I was treated to some cool wildlife sightings (I shared the lazily floating alligator last time).

My favorite encounter occurred after I doubled back to my favorite trail. I heard an unusual amount of squeaking which made me think there was a baby bird nearby.

I didn’t expect to actually see the young one, as they are typically safely ensconced in a nest or tucked in foliage. So I was pleasantly surprised to find a Limpkin fledgling foraging with its mom.

Or more accurately, it was crying for food while following mom as she foraged. My boardwalk perch afforded mom a sense of safety as she continued to hunt and feed her loud hatchling.

I was so immersed in watching the pair that it took a few minutes before I spotted an older fledgling who was fending for itself a little further away. It was clearly larger than its sibling and probably a day or two older (mom lays an egg a day and they typically hatch in that order).

As you can tell from all the photos, it was difficult to tear myself away from the little family. Such a wonderful treat!