A magical afternoon

Something magical happened today. 
 
Rabbie and Jean Pheasant are so named because they arrived on Burns night 2019. We feed all the birds routinely, and we’ve concentrated on making them feel safe. We knew R&J were nesting somewhere nearby, but not that they were at the bottom of our own garden. Though there was a tell tale squawk when I headed that way. 
 
Today Jean turned up at the feeder with chicks in tow. She came with three, then one by one more emerged until there were nine. 
 
When everyone had eaten, she tucked them up under her wings and they all rested for a bit. 
 
Rabbie wasn’t eating, just being very protective. 
 
After half an hour or so,  they all walked off. See extra.
 
Mum and chicks spent the following half hour under the rhododendron. Another extra.