There’s a devoted mother Barn Swallow in my life. This morning, I walked into the barn with a big lens and she sat still as I got close to her, then she dive-bombed my head, and then Red’s. Red is Mr. Cool and he just ducked and looked for the sheep but I heard peeping and looked up and there was a nest in the rafters with three peeping babies in it.

This brave mom was driving to draw me away, and failing that, trying to scare me away, and failing that she just sat and dared me to come after her – anything to protect her babies. I got my shot, congratulated her on being such a good mother, assured her that I meant no harm and sounded a retreat with Red. I love barn swallows, they zip and in out of barns all the time, but when you get this close, they are calling you to them. After that, duck. I will try and stay out of that barn of the barn if I can. I’m sure she and Maria will be communing soon.