A true, photo illustrated life and death story about California Thrashers. When a California Thrasher pair began courtship displays on my property, I set out to document their behavior in hope of eventually photographing their offspring. Tragically, a neighbor’s cat ate one of the thrashers before breeding season began. The remaining bird later paired with a new mate nearby. They brought their fledglings to my property to forage, and gave me the birding surprise of my life.