Do Not Disturb

The wasteland across the street beckons us these days.

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; ... (Song of Solomon 2:11, 12)

(There are no turtles on the vacant lot, and old Solomon probably meant turtledoves, anyhow. And turtles hiss like snakes. But you get the picture.)

We went over yesterday afternoon to see what is new this week. It's bunny rabbits, young ones!

First bunny, with tangled fencing. As good as blackberry canes for keeping the hawks at bay.

Second bunny, pretending to be another rock. A rock with pink ears.

Following that second rabbit, we got too close to the area where the killdeers have their nest. One of them called out.

"Peet!"

"Follow me!"

We back-tracked, watching our step so as not to disturb a nest. But it seems that our path brought us closer to their hiding place; one of the birds came almost to our feet to do the distress dance.

Fantail. And look at the curve in that wing!

Eyes in the back of her head. Good parenting trait.

"Are you watching?"

Flashing those petticoats!

(She reminds me of the swinging skirts of the Jarabe Tapatío, the Mexican Hat dance.)

We slipped away quietly. Across the field, I heard one last "Peet!" And then silence.

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