I Saved A Life Today
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From: Somewhere near the back of beyond
I Saved A Life Today
That of a Red-Naped Sapsucker, according to the Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds.
This morning, while I was reading and enjoying a cup of coffee, I was startled by the bang of a bird hitting my window, hard. I thought surely the poor thing had killed itself but upon inspection, I discovered this Sapsucker lying on my deck, looking quite pitiful but still alive. I picked it up and held it close, warming it with my hands. Often times, if a bird does not kill itself outright, it will go into shock and die later from the trauma. By keeping it warm for 5-10 minutes it enables the bodies defenses to rally. After about 5 minutes the Sapsucker began to struggle in my hands so I released it to fly into the nearest tree. There it sat for 20-30 minutes before winging off to greener pastures (or, perhaps, sappier trees?).
I'm sure a few of you will wonder. . .why bother myself with this silly bird. Understand, I am not anti-hunting, I am not anti-ridding myself of pesky rodents and other destructive critters. I have in my arsenal as we speak, ant poison, bug spray, yellow jacket traps and some stuff that my neighbor assures me will rid the place of the gophers who delight in munching on my flowers. I am, however, anti-letting a poor helpless creature flounder about on my deck to die and I stand idly by and sip coffee. Not when there is the slightest possibility I can help said creature.
Call me a big softie, if you will, but it gave me a truly magnanimous feeling when that bird took flight and soared off to live another day. I saved a life today
This morning, while I was reading and enjoying a cup of coffee, I was startled by the bang of a bird hitting my window, hard. I thought surely the poor thing had killed itself but upon inspection, I discovered this Sapsucker lying on my deck, looking quite pitiful but still alive. I picked it up and held it close, warming it with my hands. Often times, if a bird does not kill itself outright, it will go into shock and die later from the trauma. By keeping it warm for 5-10 minutes it enables the bodies defenses to rally. After about 5 minutes the Sapsucker began to struggle in my hands so I released it to fly into the nearest tree. There it sat for 20-30 minutes before winging off to greener pastures (or, perhaps, sappier trees?).
I'm sure a few of you will wonder. . .why bother myself with this silly bird. Understand, I am not anti-hunting, I am not anti-ridding myself of pesky rodents and other destructive critters. I have in my arsenal as we speak, ant poison, bug spray, yellow jacket traps and some stuff that my neighbor assures me will rid the place of the gophers who delight in munching on my flowers. I am, however, anti-letting a poor helpless creature flounder about on my deck to die and I stand idly by and sip coffee. Not when there is the slightest possibility I can help said creature.
Call me a big softie, if you will, but it gave me a truly magnanimous feeling when that bird took flight and soared off to live another day. I saved a life today
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From: North of Dallas, South of Frisco
Originally Posted by wild-mtn-rose
That of a Red-Naped Sapsucker, according to the Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds.
This morning, while I was reading and enjoying a cup of coffee, I was startled by the bang of a bird hitting my window, hard. I thought surely the poor thing had killed itself but upon inspection, I discovered this Sapsucker lying on my deck, looking quite pitiful but still alive. I picked it up and held it close, warming it with my hands. Often times, if a bird does not kill itself outright, it will go into shock and die later from the trauma. By keeping it warm for 5-10 minutes it enables the bodies defenses to rally. After about 5 minutes the Sapsucker began to struggle in my hands so I released it to fly into the nearest tree. There it sat for 20-30 minutes before winging off to greener pastures (or, perhaps, sappier trees?).
I'm sure a few of you will wonder. . .why bother myself with this silly bird. Understand, I am not anti-hunting, I am not anti-ridding myself of pesky rodents and other destructive critters. I have in my arsenal as we speak, ant poison, bug spray, yellow jacket traps and some stuff that my neighbor assures me will rid the place of the gophers who delight in munching on my flowers. I am, however, anti-letting a poor helpless creature flounder about on my deck to die and I stand idly by and sip coffee. Not when there is the slightest possibility I can help said creature.
Call me a big softie, if you will, but it gave me a truly magnanimous feeling when that bird took flight and soared off to live another day. I saved a life today
This morning, while I was reading and enjoying a cup of coffee, I was startled by the bang of a bird hitting my window, hard. I thought surely the poor thing had killed itself but upon inspection, I discovered this Sapsucker lying on my deck, looking quite pitiful but still alive. I picked it up and held it close, warming it with my hands. Often times, if a bird does not kill itself outright, it will go into shock and die later from the trauma. By keeping it warm for 5-10 minutes it enables the bodies defenses to rally. After about 5 minutes the Sapsucker began to struggle in my hands so I released it to fly into the nearest tree. There it sat for 20-30 minutes before winging off to greener pastures (or, perhaps, sappier trees?).
I'm sure a few of you will wonder. . .why bother myself with this silly bird. Understand, I am not anti-hunting, I am not anti-ridding myself of pesky rodents and other destructive critters. I have in my arsenal as we speak, ant poison, bug spray, yellow jacket traps and some stuff that my neighbor assures me will rid the place of the gophers who delight in munching on my flowers. I am, however, anti-letting a poor helpless creature flounder about on my deck to die and I stand idly by and sip coffee. Not when there is the slightest possibility I can help said creature.
Call me a big softie, if you will, but it gave me a truly magnanimous feeling when that bird took flight and soared off to live another day. I saved a life today
I cought a bunch of bigger birds kicking another smaller bird's *** one morning as I drove into work. As I passed them, I saw they had him surrounded him, and was picking the back of his neck. I stopped the car, and went over and they all flew away. Little birdy's neck was open, and bloody, but he hopped away as I approached him. As I got closer he flew away.
He probably died from infection, or maybe he healed- I dunno. But, it least he didn't get killed by being pecked to death...
This is from a guy that used to randomly kill birds with a BB/Pellet gun (Powerline 880) just for fun...
I never kill animals anymore, but it's war on any insect that finds it's way into my house. (Ant traps, Ortho, Hot Shot, I got it all.)
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From: cleveland ohio
don't worry, these darn birds can't seem to die no matter how hard they hit things! I still have a drugged up Robin beating up my windows of the house now for who knows how long now everyday! I mean you can be sleeping on the couch, and YAM! Its so loud it makes you jump out of the chair and on the ground! The damn thing still does it everyday!
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From: Somewhere near the back of beyond
Thanks all. . .OK, well, most 
Hersh, I knew you were a closet softie
Sled, my kitty watched intently through the window. She is declawed and is not allowed outside so the birds have a sporting chance here.
Jim, I too enjoy wild turkey and tried to capture one with my truck a few days back, it got away.
Hersh, I knew you were a closet softie
Sled, my kitty watched intently through the window. She is declawed and is not allowed outside so the birds have a sporting chance here.
Jim, I too enjoy wild turkey and tried to capture one with my truck a few days back, it got away.
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From: Pikesville, MD
I'd have done the same thing.....
but...
just around the corner a Hawk flew in and made himself bird stew....
We've done that with all kinds of "rodents". My boy found a squirrel (I know the risks) in the yard and was concerned for it. So I got a box, towels, etc to keep it warm and give it water. It died the next day and we buried in the back yard.
"Here Lies Nutz" (He named it).
Yea it was probably a waste but the experience was good for him and teaching him compassion for animals is always a good thing.
but...
just around the corner a Hawk flew in and made himself bird stew....
We've done that with all kinds of "rodents". My boy found a squirrel (I know the risks) in the yard and was concerned for it. So I got a box, towels, etc to keep it warm and give it water. It died the next day and we buried in the back yard.
"Here Lies Nutz" (He named it).
Yea it was probably a waste but the experience was good for him and teaching him compassion for animals is always a good thing.
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From: Canada/ USA (WV)
Originally Posted by mountaineer02v8
don't worry, these darn birds can't seem to die no matter how hard they hit things! I still have a drugged up Robin beating up my windows of the house now for who knows how long now everyday! I mean you can be sleeping on the couch, and YAM! Its so loud it makes you jump out of the chair and on the ground! The damn thing still does it everyday!
(great job WMR)
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From: Your moms house
Good job Rose.
I'm the same way...Check this out.
I am the type of person that wont kill a bug (or whatever) that is in the house. It's not his fault he's in the house. He didnt know any better. He's just lost. He needs help finding his way.
So, I will pick it up and let it go outside. This happened the other night before the wifey-pooh and I were about to "go to bed". I saw a gecko on the ceiling. I caught him and let him go in the shrubs out front. Cool little critters.
Ok, so I wont hurt a bug or what not, but I will kick someone in the teeth at the drop of a hat.
Why is that?
I'm the same way...Check this out.
I am the type of person that wont kill a bug (or whatever) that is in the house. It's not his fault he's in the house. He didnt know any better. He's just lost. He needs help finding his way.
So, I will pick it up and let it go outside. This happened the other night before the wifey-pooh and I were about to "go to bed". I saw a gecko on the ceiling. I caught him and let him go in the shrubs out front. Cool little critters.
Ok, so I wont hurt a bug or what not, but I will kick someone in the teeth at the drop of a hat.
Why is that?
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From: Pikesville, MD
Originally Posted by jamzwayne
Ok, so I wont hurt a bug or what not, but I will kick someone in the teeth at the drop of a hat.
Why is that?
I dont go out of my way to kill bugs in the house but "He's lost" now that cracked me up...
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From: Your moms house
Originally Posted by vader716
Because you are crazy...
I dont go out of my way to kill bugs in the house but "He's lost" now that cracked me up...
I dont go out of my way to kill bugs in the house but "He's lost" now that cracked me up...
Well, what else could it be?
Alright, so there's this spider at the front door. He is looking at the door saying to himself, "open, open, open", and then BAMM. The door opens and he jumps in the house real quick.
Now, he's looking around the house trying to find someone to "feed" on.
Nah, not gonna buy it.
I see it like this.
He's in a box of junk in the garage. The wife brings in this box to clean out the junk for whatever reason (garage sale, giving it away, etc.)
The spider notices the temperature change and says, "WTF, cold front?" So, he jumps out of the box to see what's up? Then he says, "damn it...I'm lost again."
Hey, "IT" could happen"
Last edited by jamzwayne; May 9, 2006 at 12:02 PM.