Backyard and Beyond

With their parents noisily thrashing in the leafy underbrush nearby, a trio of young Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) were doing some of their own foraging in the grass. Still being fed, but also learning to do it for themselves. I was curious to see what would happen as a Great Egret approached one of the birds. The Egret was constantly dipping into the pond, sometimes snagging little treats. A plump fledgling would not, I think, be passed up if available. The fledgling was no fool, however, and flew into a tree with plenty of time to spare while the egret continued on nabbing little morsels from the edge of the pond.