Rails [bird]

In the company of the magnificent Yellow Rail [Coturnicops noveboracensis] on the prairie of western Minnesota. The clicking sound you hear is its call [turn up the sound], perhaps in the middle of five individuals and at times right at out feet, it was never seen. This secretive and elusive bird, no bigger than a soft ball, is almost never seen. What a privilege to be in the company of this amazing creature. 7-12-24

Virginia Rail [Rallus limicola], Dauphin County, Pa.5-1-17

Last night while walking a dirt road I noticed that the road was covered by millipede type insects, when I rounded a bend in the road and into a bird I was not familiar with. It was beautiful with a large beak and over sized feet. At first I thought I was looking at a Woodcock, but quickly realized that this was something totally different. It was picking off the millipede insects. I watched it for quite sometime before ambled off the road and in no great hurry. It never cared that I was there. I sure was grateful for this once in a lifetime encounter with this amazing bird!
Virginia Rail [Rallus limicola], Dauphin County, Pa.5-1-17