{"id":2329,"date":"2020-05-07T11:51:47","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T11:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lafayettepark.org\/staging_5\/?p=2329"},"modified":"2021-10-31T17:00:35","modified_gmt":"2021-10-31T17:00:35","slug":"summer-stock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lafayettepark.org\/staging_5\/summer-stock\/","title":{"rendered":"SUMMER STOCK"},"content":{"rendered":"
BY KIERAN LINDSEY, PhD<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n
All the world\u2019s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. An astute observation by the Bard, but a bit misleading. Had Will but ventured beyond the Globe Theater\u2019s door he may have realized that humans aren\u2019t the only animals who have acting chops.<\/h5>\n
I\u2019m not talking about critters who pose in front of a movie or television camera while their personal trainer feeds them lines. And treats. Mercenaries all, and nothing but. One need search no further than yonder killdeer (Charadrius vociferous<\/em>) to see an authentic actor working tirelessly at his or her craft. Never for money, always for love.<\/h5>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Not love of acting. It\u2019s familial love that drives a bird to risk life, limb, and bad reviews. At least, that\u2019s what we would call it were it displayed by a human parent. Scientists are wary of applying emotional terms to the behavior of anyone other than Homo sapiens<\/em>, though, and those who are careless enough to try should expect to be on the receiving end of a harsh accusation from their colleagues: Anthropomorphism!<\/em> The attribution of human characteristics and behavior to non-humans, and the biological community\u2019s version of a Scarlet Letter. As a member of that cohort, rather than open myself up to criticism I\u2019ll simply tell the story and you can decide for yourself.<\/h5>\n
First let\u2019s set the stage. It could be a beach, mudflat, or sandbar\u2014killdeer are related to shorebirds, after all.  But you\u2019ll also find touring companies far from an oceanfront theater; at a parking lot, a flat gravel rooftop, soccer field, or golf course near you.<\/h5>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The entire cast\u2014male and female alike\u2014wears the same easily recognizable costume: bronze back, wings, and crown; not one but two black cravats at the throat; and a white belly, neck, and forehead. Orange eyeliner completes the look.  At 8\u201311\u201d tall, the killdeer is lanky compared to other plovers. You might think height, combined with a dramatic ensemble, would make for a powerful stage presence. Oddly enough, the players can be rather difficult to spot against the usual green or sandy-brown scenery.<\/h5>\n
Act I:<\/strong> The curtain opens on our newly paired hero and heroine searching for the perfect place to build a home and raise a family. No McMansion for this down-to-earth couple\u2014the acting life is a squatter\u2019s life. Find a bit of open space with a decent view, move in, and call it your own. Carve a shallow depression in the grass or gravel with your feet, put all your speckled buff-colored eggs (4\u20136) in one basket\u2026 and then watch that basket!<\/h5>\n
Act II:<\/strong>  It\u2019s 3\u20134 weeks later and the next generation of killdeer Barrymores or Redgraves burst onto the scene. Wearing a velvety version of their parents apparel, these youngsters are precocial<\/em> in the truest sense of the word\u2014they can\u2019t fly but they\u2019re bright eyed and ready to hit the boards running as soon as their down is dry.  It will take 20\u201330 days before they are able to strike out on their own\u2026 and it will be a perilous month indeed!<\/h5>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Act III:<\/strong>  Enter the villain\u2026 bwa ha ha ha! [This is where you, as an audience member, should feel free to boo and hiss].  S\/he may appear as a seagull, a falcon, a fox, an ATV, or a beachcomber. Further from shore the scoundrel might be dressed as a crow, a coyote, a cow, a dog or cat, a child, or a car.<\/h5>\n
Gasp! Who will save the children?!<\/h5>\n
No matter the size or form, or whether the threat is a tooth-filled maw, a flip-flop clad foot, or a steel-belted Firestone, without a moment\u2019s hesitation or any consideration of personal safety, our fearless, feathered leading man or lady springs into action. Hurray!<\/h5>\n
Okay\u2026 that\u2019s not technically accurate, but \u201cflops into action\u201d doesn\u2019t have quite the same dramatic punch, now does it?<\/h5>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what really happens. When something threatens the eggs or hatchlings, the adult birds will act as if suddenly stricken with some crippling illness or injury. Barely able to walk and dragging one or both wings, the parent will attempt to lead the evil-doer away from the kiddos. Choose to follow and there\u2019ll be some true scenery chewing. The real or perceived predator will be allowed to get closer\u2026 closer\u2026 nearly close enough to touch\u2026 but calling on one last drop of adrenaline, the bird flutters\u2026 stumbles\u2026 lurches\u2026 just\u2026 a bit\u2026 further\u2026<\/h5>\n
Once the offspring are safe, a miraculous cure takes place instantaneously! Wings unfurl, there\u2019s a flourish of feathers, and our hero\/heroine is circling high above a startled stalker.<\/h5>\n
The crowd goes WILD!!<\/h5>\n
What motivates such a performance\u2014love, instinct, or brain chemistry? The critics are still out on this one.<\/h5>\n
\u00a9<\/strong> 2011 Next-Door Nature. No reprints without written permission from the author (I\u2019d love for you to share my work\u2013just ask first). Thanks to these photographers for making their work available through a Creative Commons license (from top to bottom): Srikanth Vk<\/a>,  <\/em>Glenn Loos-Austin<\/a>, Jasper Nancy<\/a>, ERDC-CHL FRF<\/a>, and Ken Slade<\/a>.<\/em><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BY KIERAN LINDSEY, PhD All the world\u2019s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. An astute observation by the Bard, but a bit misleading. 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