Startled by a starling leads to a special moment

Last week I was driving on a gravel road by Myrtle creek when I noticed a 12 foot tall old tree stump or snag. It had been dead for years and had several round holes visible, seemingly the size to fit a bird. I started to study the tree when on the northwest side I saw two small yellow beaks and then two heads and soon another head trying to peek out. Just when I realized there were three young birds waiting for their mother to feed them the mother showed up, landed on the top of the old wooden tree and gave me a scolding. I was startled by her aggressive action. I was impressed with her shiny purple black feathers, long and pointed yellow bill and short tail. However, I quickly reviewed my “Birds of Idaho” book to discover that she was a European Starling. I was startled by a Starling!