After being fed by it's mother http://365project.org/pamknowler/extras/2015-07-02 this baby starling then started feeding itself on the meal worms. As I was taking these shots the baby took off and flew straight through the doors of our lounge towards me much to the shock of Finlay who was sitting by my feet.
Finlay started to chase the starling but I managed to catch him and shut him out. I then followed the baby round the hall then the kitchen as he walked around trying to find a way out. I managed to get the baby back out into the garden and Finlay back indoors and I thought that was it. What a relief!!
It was so hot indoors that after about half an hour I opened the door again thinking the baby would be gone. Unfortunately he was hiding behind a pot on the patio and yes you guessed it Finlay gave chase!! There was me screaming at Finlay (once again!!) but I was unable to stop him catching the bird. I did finally make him drop it and I took him inside. There were no marks on the bird but he was in distress. I managed to catch him on my dustpan and put him into the front garden but I expect he died of shock. I looked in the garden this morning and there was no sign of the bird so perhaps he survived? What a week - first a frog and then a bird!! Is Finlay really a cat?
Uploaded for my extras album
How lovely to see this on the PP this morning! A great way to end such a traumatic week!
He really stands out against that background. Nice lighting and focus. I had a hummingbird crash into the garage wall. I thought he was dead, but he was just stunned and eventually managed to fly off.
Oh my gosh, this is quite the story. Finlay -- not a hero here, but dogs do what dogs do. We had a Bernese Mountain Dog before Nutmeg, named Cosie. We were invited for the first time to new friends for brunch -- this was on Beaver Island where they owned a local Bed & Breakfast. They had 2 parakeets in a cage, but the door was open and they let them fly around. Cosie was also invited for the brunch. Horribly, one of the birds flew at Cosie who opened her mouth -- she was really a gentle soul and would not have tried to chase it (no reflection on Finlay!!). But in her mouth it went and her jaws briefly closed. AGH! You can image...distressed bird...Jim and I drove into town to get the vet or something the vet had -- don't remember -- and all the way there and back we just kept hoping and saying "please don't let this bird die!!" We were mortified, Cosie was ashamed (she knew she did something wrong), and the bird survived for about 2 days. When it died, we were further mortified and tried to think of what the appropriate thing was to do. If you replace a bird, does it mean the one that died didn't matter and was replaceable? You''d never just go buy another dog or cat, for example! It was quite an awful experience. I do feel for you! And poor Finlay -- he would never intentionally hurt a fly, I'm sure.
@taffy Oh no what a story!! I can visualize the whole thing!! At least Cosie just opened her mouth and the bird flew in - rather like committing suicide!! No Finlay I am afraid did all the chasing - well terriers were bred for hunting so i can't really expect anything else but it was horrible to see. At least it wasn't a friends dear pet!! You must have been mortified!!
@pamknowler You can tell how awful we felt as this was over 15 years ago and it feels like yesterday. Thank goodness we have remained friends over the years. It was so awful and we felt so responsible! They said that after the one died, the other one had a lot more attention and seemed to be quite okay in the end. That was the blessing in disguise. She's a singer and I was always worried we'd end up in a very sad song as the horrible perpetrators of the death of the bird. Thankfully, never was a story/song as far as we know!
Loved reading your story - could picture each step. Know those things happen, but maybe it made it to safety. Love the shot with just the head sticking out. Nicely composed.
I knew this shot was yours as soon as I saw it. Perfect composition, and a terrific shot! Fav. I would think the bird survived. Sometimes they become rigid with shock, but after a while recover to fly off again.
Oh it's so difficult when we become invested in "wild things" and "animal natures"... Like you and Taffy, I have some dreadful images and moments that still linger in my brain as well... Such a lovely opener with the mother feeding her baby... and this, seeing the baby capturing food for himself... All so sad, but the photos are beautiful and a bitter-sweet memory...
July 9th, 2015
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