Missing something in brown study

Something's missing from this image of White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea) in Tyto Wetlands. It's not the feet.

And from this Pale-vented Bush-hen (Amaurornis moluccana), pictured in creek pool close to the crake's territory. Again, not the feet.

Missing are pairs of little and larger black shadows darting through the thick cover alongside and in the creek. Have had no luck this breeding season in capturing pictures of the many chicks scurrying with parents throughout the wetlands. Already, their juvenile black plumage will be giving way to immature browns. Did someone say brown study?