In May of 2001 Tarra made a new, very dear friend.

When Scott approached, Tarra was standing stone still and looking intensely at something on the corral cable. Even as he approached closer she did not move a muscle nor make a sound. Scott realized she was looking at something but it took him a few seconds to see just what.

There, perched precariously on the cable, was a tiny fledging bird — hardly out of the nest! The little bird was not intimidated by Tarra but remained perched long enough for us to take these photographs.

We encouraged Tarra to move away, which she did — reluctantly. She moved slowly and carefully and did not startle the bird. Later the mother bird was able to entice her baby to a different perching location.