I absolutely love nature! I could sit outside all day long and quietly observe animals, clouds, flowers...pretty much everything under the sun. I've been this way for as long as I can recall. We're lucky enough to live in a house that backs up to a small lake, so we get our share of blue herons, swans, geese, and ducks. We've had a couple of mallard ducks visit our backyard for the past few weeks or so. Every time I spot them, I rush outside with bread or crackers in hand to feed them. They know they can count on me for a little treat.
Aren't they just the cutest pair?
I love the bright colors on the male's head...
Of course, the female knows how to strut her stuff, too...
We had a bit of a mishap on Friday afternoon. I was in our family room watching TV when I heard a loud thud on our back windows. I knew what had happened as it wasn't the first time. We have very high windows at the back of our house that birds fly into because the sky reflects in them so well. I got up and rushed to our back door and found a red-bellied woodpecker lying on its side not moving, at all. I went out to check on him. Poor thing was breathing rapidly, but it's eyes were opening and closing. I gently rubbed the top of its head. I figured it got disoriented after hitting the window so hard. After several minutes, I scooped it up and sat it upright to see if it would start moving. He just sat in one spot...
I'm such a sucker for happy endings and I must admit I got a little teary-eyed knowing I'd nursed that fella back to life.
Have you ever extended a helping hand to an injured animal?
