Set myself up on the porch yesterday to play with photos on my laptop and be outside at the same time. Looked over in the driveway and saw this little guy just standing there. I expected him to fly off after a minute, but when he didn't, and when I realized how absolutely still he was except for turning his head occasionally, I thought maybe he was a baby, although a big baby, waiting for mom and dad to come get him. He was so still and so patient, just like the other babies I've seen. So I sneaked back inside to grab my camera, thinking (and hoping) that I was about to capture a seriously cool event.
I actually did rescue a baby chickadee a couple weeks ago. I haven't posted that shot of him yet (behind as I am!), but it was a rainy chilly day, and when he eventually could no longer stand and fell over, I decided it was time to pick him up and put him back in his nest. And so I did, with my heart in my throat, and dh and I saying prayers over him. Fortunately, shortly thereafter, mom and dad did come by, and the next morning he was gone out of the nest. Dh and I choose to believe they were able to energize him and that he was able to fly off.
But back to yesterday, after a few shots and a little while went by, I decided I should go back inside so mom and dad would come back for this guy. Ignoring the uneasy feeling I had been having the whole time, I packed it all up, set myself up in the dining room where I could keep watching, opened the windows for a better view, and brought out my camera again, only to find that he had fallen down on his belly. Within a moment, he was on his back, had a rough minute or two, and then was finally, eternally, still.
Obviously I knew what had happened, and obviously my heart was broken for the precious guy. Tho I thought it was odd for a baby to be that big, he was still a small-ish bird, and he had a tuft of feathers that could fool you into believing they were baby downy. And he behaved like other babies I've seen. Even ignoring my uneasiness, had I known what was happening, I would have never photographed it. But at this point, having witnessed it and accidentally capturing it, how could I not memorialize it.
So I've taken what was a fairly dull shot due to the cloudiness of the day, and tried to give it some sunshine and specialness. I understand Mother Nature and the circle of life, and I guess I hope I never lose my compassion, but witnessing it is so hard. Maybe somehow this is fitting for Memorial Day.
A wonderful capture of a sad occasion.
Who knows what happened to him. You are right - he looks far too mature to be considered a baby.
He may have hit a window, or been hit by a car. Or - he may have had a bad heart, or worms, or any other health ailment. They are living beings like us and can have a multitude of health problems.
At least he didn't suffer at the claws of a cat or other predator.
Who knows what happened to him. You are right - he looks far too mature to be considered a baby.
He may have hit a window, or been hit by a car. Or - he may have had a bad heart, or worms, or any other health ailment. They are living beings like us and can have a multitude of health problems.
At least he didn't suffer at the claws of a cat or other predator.