Killdeer

Killdeer while commonly found on lawns, golf courses, and pasture fields also spend time along the water's edge.  One morning a few days ago I was fortunate to be able to maneuver the boat close to a family group of killdeer taking an early morning bath. 

A dispute erupted among the birds as can be seen here with one bird chasing another through the shallow water.

Turning the tables the chased bird suddenly stopped and displayed an aggressive posture.

And maintained the aggressive stance as the pursuing bird circled seeming to look for a weakness in its defence. 

In a few moments the dispute was quickly forgotten as the flock went back to running about the mud flats in search of food leaving me with a few memorable images from a beautiful morning on the water.