I sometimes think you never really know an animal species until you see the kind of mothers they are. I’ve seen the extraordinary power and dedication of animal mothers for years and always marveled at it. Timid and almost mindless sheep will turn into ferocious warriors for their lambs, the care animals give their newborns is powerful to see. Bears care for their cubs for years before sending them out into the dangerous human world. Barn swallows chase the barn cats and border collies (and me)  away from the barns of their are offspring around.

Phoebes are small and gracious and timid birds. This Phoebe is the mother of the three chicks in the next I’ve been photographing.

Whenever I go near the next, she perches on the fence, close enough to see me and keep an eye on her babies. She is always – always – there. She is a good mother, and I never stay long up near the nest. I hope she will get used to me, but she will never relax her guard or vigilance.

The sight of her touches my heart, and inspires me. She is a faithful and loving and dutiful creature.