Wednesday 24 June 2009

I was good!

This morning I heard a furious rustling and thumping coming from the kitchen. When I went to investigate, Fenn was looking most excited but she hadn't, as I'd feared, stolen any of the hot rolls I'd recently taken out of the oven. But something had taken advantage of the open door, and there were sweet pea petals scattered all over the floor.
A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker had found its way in and was fluttering, terrified, in the window. I easily picked it up, its gorgeous black and white stripes and scarlet cap, long pointy beak, still in my hand but so very much alive.
I hesitated. Should I take a fabulous close-up picture for my album and the blog, or should I be kind and let it go immediately?
I opened the window, opened my hand and off it flew.

Photo courtesy of natureinview.co.uk

8 comments:

Whispering Walls said...

Mopsa - you must get that photo published!

Whispering Walls said...

Oh - my mistake!

Sendacow said...

Good for you! That is still a fantastic picture though :-) Love the blog Mopsa :-) You may be interested in the work of Send a Cow - http://www.sendacow.org.uk/ourwork - We are based in Bath, work with rural community groups in nine countries in Africa, providing small-scale farmers with the skills and means to feed their families and earn an income. It's all about helping to develop sustainable farming methods!

Flowerpot said...

well done you Mopsa. Great picture even if it wasnt yours!

Mopsa said...

Ha ah WW - That was the point, of course!
Hi Sendacow - will come and have a look shortly.
F'pot - the urge was strong, but I resisted!

James Higham said...

At least you got to see it close up.

Scriptor Senex said...

Lovely experience and even without a photo the memory will doubtless remain.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I'm glad you let it go immediately. Nice image anyway.