Virginia Rails - Belle Isle

This morning I came across a few juvenile Virginia Rails hanging out by the first fresh water pool at Belle Isle. The juveniles were quite hilarious, chasing flies and checking me out. I may have been the first person these guys got a look at, they were more inquisitive than scared, not a common trait with Rails.  The Virginia Rail is a very secretive what might be called a waterbird of sorts, in the Family Rallidae. Rails inhabit marshes and freshwater ponds with abutting reeded areas for breeding. With Laterally compressed bodies Rail can move through the thick marsh vegetation, making this nearly impenetrable habitat a safe breeding location. Short of hearing the Rail's "clicky" call at dawn or dusk, Rails are a seldom seen species of the marsh.