How many times have you been out and about, sans camera, and unexpectedly spotted a photo worthy subject? This time I was lucky because, although I did not have my camera in hand, I was preparing to go to the park and had my camera packed in my car nearby when I spotted a moorhen in a neighborhood retention pond (my trusty Birds of Florida refers to the species as a 'common' moorhen…but, really, what's common about a little duck with an orange face and bright yellow beak?). So, I dashed back to my car and put on my long lens to get some shots of the aforementioned moorhen having a bath. And, that's when I realized she wasn't alone. She had a brood of three tucked in close to her while she splashed around. She must have sensed me nearby because she swam to the other side of the pond, and dispatched her little ones into the tall grass. Can you see them? Look directly above the mama moorhen's head…then to the right. 1…2…3! I love the orange splotches on their heads.
