Skimmer mama
Photographing this was dangerous I tell ya. These birds are fiercely protective of their nests (look at those beaks!), so I pulled the van up next to the nesting area and photographed them out the window. Still, the parents flew frantically around the van, shrieking and complaining and letting me know that I was intruding on their nesting vibe.
I grabbed my shot and left them to their littles.
I had a lovely comment from a reader named Joan on my previous post. She was on vacation with her family to our neck of the woods, and ended up on our marina. It was a busy weekend on the docks, and it was literally packed with people. We had come to the boat to hang out, grill some sausage and swim. Joan happened to notice my daughter coming out of the marina store with her brothers and she recognized her from my blog.
Wow. That’s about all I can say. To have someone recognize my kids from my blog is a bit strange and unnerving all at once. I really love to meet new people, don’t get me wrong. If Joan had grabbed me and introduced herself, I would have bought her a beer…right after she shoveled me off the dock that I melted into.
But, someone recognized my kids from the internet, folks. Thank goodness it was someone real and valid like Joan. We spoke via e-mail etc and I do not feel in the least unnerved about HER at all…just about the concept.
How does this make you feel? What if it happened to you?
I think I can empathize with the little Skimmer mamas. “My babies, my babies. Eeeek!”
You know, I think about this kind of thing with some frequency. Really, what it boils down to is each person’s comfort level with risk. You know? And that can vary wildly from person to person and situation to situation.
I know some moms who don’t let their kids play outside unless they are outside watching them. I know some moms who let their kids go out and have no idea where they are. I know a mom who won’t let her eighth grade daughter walk down one street in our suburban neighborhood to play with my daughter. You know?
I think I run pretty middle of the road. I feel pretty strongly that although we hear about bad things that happen to kids, that by and large the vast majority of people are good and kind.
That having been said, I have been cautious enough not to list my state or city on my blog. Or our last name.
I expect if someone really, really, really wanted to, they could find us. But, I don’t think that is going to happen.
Was this helpful? More than likely not.
Leeann
niccofive.blogspot.com
PS- that was an awesome bird picture!
PPS- I hope you don’t stop posting pictures of your family. I love the pictures you post, especially the ones of the kids.
Hey jody,
Yes alittle unerving, however, so is just being at a busy marina around a ton of people, all this to say yes be careful just not so overly careful that it is a problem. I think in todays society we have no choice to be extra guarded and watch our kids. Anyone that knows you by your blog knows that you are always with your kids because you are a hands on family for one, and 2 always be watchful, but not paranoid. I for one would definately not coming looking for trouble and having to deal with the fierceness of a mom protecting her kids. If you are more comfortable take back shots of your kiddo’s for the majority of the time but please don’t stop posting all together, but on the other hand you have to do what makes you feel like your kid’s are safe and I respect THAT decision! I have read your blog along time and rest assured your kids are definately safe with you !!
“I feel pretty strongly that although we hear about bad things that happen to kids, that by and large the vast majority of people are good and kind”
I totally agree Leeann! Case in point is Joan. I would have loved meeting her and saying “Hi”.
“Yes a little unerving, however, so is just being at a busy marina around a ton of people, all this to say yes be careful just not so overly careful that it is a problem. I think in todays society we have no choice to be extra guarded and watch our kids”
You hit the nail on the head. It is not the people like Joan that I am talking about….it is the ones that don’t comment and say “Hi, I think I saw your daughter.”…it is the possibility that there are those that you don’t hear from watching from the wings. And you are right, someone is always with my kiddos. We are probably over protective, but it is more like you stated, we are just always together.
No, I won’t stop blogging. This was a chance thing in a busy town, and I expect it to happen more often since we have moved from Mayberry.
“I for one would definately not coming looking for trouble and having to deal with the fierceness of a mom protecting her kids”
Well now, if you see me, grab me for a beer, sista!
Gosh, I really hope that I did not cause you to be alarmed. If you would have been with the kids. I probably would have said hi and would definately have had a beer with you. It just did not feel right to say anything to the kids or even worse to follow them to the boat. We go there pretty often next time I am going to be there I will e-mail you ahead of time and hopefully we can meet.
Joan
Oh my goodness no! You didn’t alarm me. I appreciated the fact that you didn’t talk to the kiddos, but I was sorry I was not at the marina store to meet you.
It just brought up an interesting concept that I had not thought of before we moved away from “Mayberry” (tiny town in central Texas where we used to live).
Definitely ping me an e-mail when you come next time. I would love to meet you.
That would be cool and weird at the same time. It seems like Joan though wanted to respect your space and I respect her for that:-)
LOL! I agree! Yes, I very much appreciate her respect and kindness.
Oh wow, yes, I can see how that would be unnerving! I don’t have children myself, but the thought of being recognised from my blog is something that has crossed my mind from time to time. I think the way I rationalise it is by telling myself that the vast majority of people who have a chance of recognising me or my family would be like Joan, and would be of no threat whatsoever to me. The thought of the few who perhaps wouldn’t be like that is a little freaky though, and I’m guessing even more so when you have kids to think about!
That would definitely be kind of freaky. I think sometimes we write these blogs and don’t really think hard about the fact that people are reading them.
I can see why you brought this subject up, and it is complicated. We blog about our lives and our families because it interests us, and we think it might interest others, but then there is that line of privacy being crossed, and we have to ask if it is worth it? We all draw the line somewhere. I do not post pictures and even took one down of myself in profile because I do worry. I have never identified my town for the same reason. On the other hand, I believe most people are good, and I am not overprotective etc…Still it might be best to keep family members in profile, shadow or backshots as they grow older. Your photography is incredible however so what do I know? I am certain that you will do what you feel is right for you and your family. We can always change our minds and although once posted on the internet I realize these posts will never go away, it is possible to make it harder for others to find so if you did take down pictures that you had previously posted, it would be a bit of a protection if you decided that you should. I am not giving advice, just thinking out loud!
Just de-lurking to say I read on and off. I really struggle with dis-connecting from the internet – but then knowing too I’ll miss out on entries such as you post
I SO very much needed to read/hear your post “It doesn’t matter where you live, as long as you take me with you”…..then I promptly left Him with His bags packed by the door. I am a bit worried having read it as now I am going to have to unpack HIM from my door step too. Oh – He calls us to great things, but sometimes I get scared and worried that I won’t be able to do what he asks or that I will lose the control(s) I think I have over all things in life – HA!
God Bless, EK