I parked the car near the beginning of Mud Creek Trail to make some pre-walk observations for an upcoming Walk on the Wild Side at Belle Isle SP. I have walked this trail in many seasons and it is such a delight in each. I was eager to search out some spring ephemerals, early butterflies, flowering trees and plants. I had hardly made 20’ of progress before I was stopped in my tracks by the sound of birds making quite a racket. And very nearby. So what’s the story here? Aha, a bluebird on a tree branch flapping its wings and squawking. Noted. I looked around for the ‘cause’. Another bluebird was flying around frantically heading in and out of this tree. My first thought was that I was near a nest and the parents were protecting it from a ‘predator’. Okay. Where’s the nest, where’s the ‘predator’? I knew a bluebird box was some 30-40’ further down the trail so I thought this pair was defending a nest in this tree. I wanted to scout the trail so I moved past the sqawking parents to give them their space. Surprise. One of the birds dive-bombed me. Me! I ducked. And with that I noticed a wobbly little shape 20-30’ ahead of me ON the trail. Hopping, flapping. Another aha. A nestling learning to fly. With that I backed my way out the trail and gave the family their space.Technically I know humans are predators, top of the food chain, butI don’t think I have ever felt like one until that moment. — Anne Clewell, BTC19
