Yesterday was much like today, cold, wet, windy and pretty miserable.
I was engrossed in the last few pages of a crime novel when a loud bang lifted me out of my chair. It sounded like a bird flying into the window right beside where I was sitting but much louder than usual maybe because it was so close. As I lifted my head I saw a kestrel approach and fly over the house and guessed that it was indeed a bird fleeing the hawk that made the noise.
When I first found what had made the noise, the little kingfisher was splayed on the front steps, wings akimbo, head at an awkward looking angle, beak on the step. By the time I grabbed the camera he had tucked his wings back in and perked up a little but was still obviously dazed as he took no notice of me opening the window above his head.
It took the poor little thing about 15 minutes to recover and I kept as quiet as possible hoping it wouldn't leave until it had recovered completely and not make an easy meal for the kestrel.
I do hope it's OK. They make lovely neighbours.
The colours of the kingfisher reminded me of the new mural on a side wall at the shops in a low socio-economic part of town. The bird in this artwork is a tui, a beautiful New Zealand native bird. The wall is part of a mission to brighten up the city. It sure does that.
Poor little thing. Hope he got away safely. I like the mural!
ReplyDeletePoor little thing. Hope he got away safely. I like the mural!
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too, Monica. They are beautiful little birds.
DeleteOne of the best kingfisher shots I've seen...it's an ill wind etc,
ReplyDeleteYeah, it sure was an ill wind for the little kingfisher. And the kestrel, too, I guess. He missed out on his dinner (I hope).
DeleteGood to know the little kingfisher was alright. Birds do hurt themselves flying into windows. Interesting mural.
ReplyDeleteLittle sparrows and fantails often fly into my windows but that's the first kingfisher that I've seen.
DeleteWhenever a bird gets knocked out by a window, we try to keep watch over it and make sure it's safe until it can fly away. So scary for us and them!
ReplyDeleteYes, I could imagine the poor little thing's pounding heart (and head) as it sat there recovering and probably wondering what the hell had just happened.
DeleteWindows tke a high toll on birds. I hope most of them survive.
ReplyDeleteI think most of them do survive, Red. At least enough to fly off after the crash. Whether they recover quick enough to stay alive, I don't know. Hope so.
ReplyDeleteHello Pauline,
ReplyDeleteOh the little Kingfisher reminded me of the painting of one that Mum bought when we were last in New Zealand. Love that mural, people are so clever when it comes to that sort of artwork, getting everything into the right size.
Happy days.
Bev.
Oh, to see a kingfisher that closely!!! For me, that would have been such a gift! And I like the drawing of the bird on the wall along with the red diamond, nice spots of color!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he recovered. They are a beautiful colour.
ReplyDeleteGiven the speed they fly it was very fortunate still to be alive.
ReplyDeleteIt's heartbreaking when that occurs. I'm the biggest sook/softie out and I just hate it. One poor little fellow flew into my front glass sliding door a while back and he really gave himself a wallop! Gently I moved him out of sight of other birds in the hope he didn't become easy prey...I hope he didn't. I didn't want to dwell on that thought.
ReplyDelete