I know they say that we Canadians talk about the weather...a lot. And it's true. My husband even puts the Weather channel on when there is nothing else good on tv...I know, I make fun of him for that too. But we do like our weather. And given that yesterday was the nicest Victoria Day (or May 2-4 if you prefer) that I can remember in a long time.. it will surely be talked about for some time to come. Especially next year when it will most likely be rainy and cold again!
It was such a nice day in fact, that we decided on an impromptu barbecue with our friends. While I was inside getting food ready, my husband was outside on the patio with the hose, washing off bird poop that really did seem to be every where. He was not a happy camper. And I didn't need him to tell me that it was my fault...me and my crazy love of nature....putting out a bird feeder and bird bath...honestly!!! But I love watching the birds in the yard..hopping along the grass under the feeder.. splashing around in the bird bath.
And watching them is exactly what Rascal and I were doing while we sat in the backyard waiting for our guests to arrive. Well..Rascal was mostly sleeping in the sun. I spent a lot of time that first summer with him, training him NOT to chase the birds! So now he just ignores them.
As I sat there enjoying the moment, a large black Grackle swooped down from my pine tree and took out a small starling in mid flight. Having gotten hold of it, he forced it to the ground. It happened in the blink of an eye.
I just sat there stunned for a second. I couldn't believe I'd actually seen what I thought I had. But no.. there it was, in the grass by the tree, pecking at the poor little thing. I thought I was going to be sick. I jumped out of my chair and ran at it, yelling and waving my arms until it reluctantly flew off. But it was too late, the little starling was dead. My first thought was to bury it under the tree and I headed towards the shed to get a spade, but then I realized that Rascal or a raccoon or something would probably dig it back up and that would just be....bad. So, I disposed of it elsewhere.
I'd seen these birds before, and I noticed that when they come around the feeder, the smaller birds will scatter, but I just thought they were bullies. I never thought they'd actually kill one of them. When I came back outside, the Grackle was back, swooping low over the yard. Alright, I don't honestly know that it was the same one, but it probably was. I ran out into the yard again, waving and yelling at it.
Rascal finally took notice and ran out into the yard with me...ready to do battle, but not really sure why or with whom. The next time it flew low and landed I poked Rascal and said "look, go, chase it".
He gave me a look that clearly said, "Oh, so now you want me to chase the birds?" Obviously, this is going to be up to me.
I hate bullies.
It was such a nice day in fact, that we decided on an impromptu barbecue with our friends. While I was inside getting food ready, my husband was outside on the patio with the hose, washing off bird poop that really did seem to be every where. He was not a happy camper. And I didn't need him to tell me that it was my fault...me and my crazy love of nature....putting out a bird feeder and bird bath...honestly!!! But I love watching the birds in the yard..hopping along the grass under the feeder.. splashing around in the bird bath.
And watching them is exactly what Rascal and I were doing while we sat in the backyard waiting for our guests to arrive. Well..Rascal was mostly sleeping in the sun. I spent a lot of time that first summer with him, training him NOT to chase the birds! So now he just ignores them.
As I sat there enjoying the moment, a large black Grackle swooped down from my pine tree and took out a small starling in mid flight. Having gotten hold of it, he forced it to the ground. It happened in the blink of an eye.
I just sat there stunned for a second. I couldn't believe I'd actually seen what I thought I had. But no.. there it was, in the grass by the tree, pecking at the poor little thing. I thought I was going to be sick. I jumped out of my chair and ran at it, yelling and waving my arms until it reluctantly flew off. But it was too late, the little starling was dead. My first thought was to bury it under the tree and I headed towards the shed to get a spade, but then I realized that Rascal or a raccoon or something would probably dig it back up and that would just be....bad. So, I disposed of it elsewhere.
I'd seen these birds before, and I noticed that when they come around the feeder, the smaller birds will scatter, but I just thought they were bullies. I never thought they'd actually kill one of them. When I came back outside, the Grackle was back, swooping low over the yard. Alright, I don't honestly know that it was the same one, but it probably was. I ran out into the yard again, waving and yelling at it.
Rascal finally took notice and ran out into the yard with me...ready to do battle, but not really sure why or with whom. The next time it flew low and landed I poked Rascal and said "look, go, chase it".
He gave me a look that clearly said, "Oh, so now you want me to chase the birds?" Obviously, this is going to be up to me.
I hate bullies.
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