Rooster attack at the petting zoo
We went out to a farm with the intention of cutting down a Christmas tree. We did this once before in Athens, Georgia. On the way out there I was noticing that there are no Frasier firs growing wild in this area. There are some other evergreens, but not the Christmas variety. So we get out to the farm and sure enough there aren't any trees to cut. Just some trees off the truck from Michigan. Oh well. We picked one out and then Kevin realized we didn't have any cash. So he took Gideon and went looking for an ATM. I had Evelyn in the Bjorn, and the boys and I ran around the farm playing. Our friends Robin and David had backyard chickens and the boys have spent several afternoons chasing sweet chickens around their backyard. When a group of 10 chickens walked toward the sandbox where we were playing, Caleb stood up with a smile, said, "Chickens! Chickens!" and ran toward them. So I took a few pictures. 
And then it happened: (click on the picture for the full effect)
The rooster turned toward Caleb and protected his hens from big bad Caleb. I reflexively took a picture then threw the camera down. Thankfully Caleb was wearing enough layers the claws didn't hurt him. The rooster jumped on him a second time before I chased him off. A lady dressed as an elf had to keep shooing the rooster away. Caleb was terrified and his big tears were heartbreaking. But he gained the courage to keep playing, armed with a shovel, as you can see below.
So does it make me a terrible mom that I caught the photo or what? I promise I was watching and protecting them. The shutter button's just a reflex, you know?
I don't think it makes you a bad mommy. Many has been the time I've caught the boys falling or whatever on camera instead of catching them before they hit the ground. I usually feel pretty bad while they're crying, but once I see the picture I usually think it's worth it. And that picture, Kristen, is totally worth it. Wow!
That picture is amazing! Poor Caleb. I'm glad he recovered so well.
I love that you got it on film. We got Abby on video once playing in an unsafe manner - albeit amusing which is why we were filming - on her rocking horse. It ended badly. We have it on tape. We always swore to never show it to anyone because it is proof of our poor parentage! :) Sometimes we just get caught up in the moment of being a child, which involves "animals gone bad" on film. I'm glad he's okay!
Reminds me of the time Anna got charged by a peacock in Hawaii. We took a photo just a second before the peacock unleashed its fury. It didn't touch her, luckily, but it is scary when animals decide to be unfriendly to your kids.