THE RESCUE

by LESLIE KAPEL
(HOLLY SPRINGS, NORTH CAROLINA)

TODAY A BEAUTIFUL NORTHERN FLICKER FLEW INTO MY WINDOW AND FELL IN THE BUSHES IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I HAD TO RESCUE IT FROM IN BETWEEN THE BRANCHES OF THE BUSH.

IT DID NOT SEEM TO BE INJURED; THE WINGS WERE FINE; IT WRAPPED ITS FEET AROUND MY FINGERS. I WAS HOPING THAT IT ONLY SUSTAINED A STUNNING FROM IT'S FLIGHT INTO MY WINDOW.

I LEFT IT ON THE GROUND WITH BIRDSEED AND WATER.

RIGHT AFTER I LEFT IT TO GO INTO THE HOUSE, A LIKE BIRD SWOOPED DOWN AND PICKED IT UP AND FLEW OFF WITH THE BIRD.

I LIVE IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA AND ARE CONSTANTLY WOKEN UP IN THE MORNINGS TO THE SOUND OF PECKING.

LET'S HOPE THIS BIRD WILL BE FIT AND HARDY TO GO BACK TO WAKING ME UP WITH HIS/HER PECKING.