Nesting

There is definitely a sense of Spring in the air. Beautiful, mild days. Sun shining brightly. Buds bursting into bloom all over the place. And lots of little birdies, busy and protective of their patch. I had two very different encounters with some feathered friends yesterday. 

I dragged my backside around the park, for a 10km time trial. I hadn't run in two whole weeks and it felt like... I hadn't run in two whole weeks. It was a battle, but I eventually clocked up the km's... 3 minutes slower than the last time I trained, which I was pretty disappointed with. Running through a particularly leafy section of the park, I felt the all too familiar peck to the back of the head. Scratch of claws catching on my hair. The flutter of wings around my ears. I was being dive bombed by a native minor bird. Defensive little buggers getting all on edge with me running beneath their residence. I've been attacked like that before, though not for a long time. It really freaks me out. So when I ran past the same point on my second lap around, I pulled the hood on my jacket over my head in an attempt to disguise myself. It didn't help. They were onto me and once again, cracked straight into the back of my head.

Then, on the way back to the car, I stumbled on another example of unwavering commitment. Though this time, the scene was far more peaceful and the subjects way cuter. And I wasn't a perceived threat to these youngins. I carefully kept my distance, taking my snaps while camouflaged behind a tree. I'm assuming this was Mama and Papa Swan with their fluffy, grey cygnets. They were certainly acting every bit like doting parents. Protective and in control of their precious little family.