Little Shirley was carried off by a fox a few days ago and it was a sad loss for us.  She was a beloved from the original five Buff Orpingtons we got in 2009 -- now there is Big Shirley, Duda and Googie.  She had a strong spirit, and pecked if you tried to touch her.  But she also was part of the double act, seen in the slideshow, with Big Shirley -- she came and sat on Sandor's knee, as the 'Two Shirleys."

Her chick is an orphan now, but staying close to the other mother hen.  Little Shirley was a good mother in her last days, and brought a lot of smiles into our lives.

Sandor took this today.  When we first saw this place, there was a hawk on the old dead tree.

The "littles" are on their own now at just over 2 mos.  This is a time of danger for them -- no longer in their mother's care, and small enough to be carried off by winged predators.  They are a flock on their own and sticking close together in safe places.