A thick grey covered the valley, water dripping without any rhythm, like a blanket hanging from a clothesline. It was a dreary morning. I pulled up to the driveway and hopped out, as is now my custom, to open the gate when a small movement in the grass caught my eye. It was a baby bird struggling, soaked. I looked around and saw the parents nearby. Robins.
(All wet - a little robin)
(a mother or a father flies close by)
I was worried the little fellow didn’t seem to be able to fly, but I hesitate to intervene after all it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.
Thinking a moment I walked over to the garbage and pulled out one of Amy’s moving boxes. I ripped one side off creating a shelter for the little one. I thought he’d at least be able to dry his feathers and rest without worrying about being prey. I thought about calling the Wildlife rescue, but I knew what they’d say: “Do you see the parents? Oh well then leave the bird alone” so I did. I briefly thought of calling Amy, after all she'd worked at the zoo, but I thought she'd think the same thing.
(makeshift shelter)
(moving on)
(Robin family)
(Robby trying to fly)
Instead, I watched out the window like a nervous mother. The baby dried off and hopped up the hill to the house, then stopped. Completely exhausted. The mother and father were coaching and encouraging dive-bombing anything near it, but the little thing couldn’t go on. I decided to help again. Taking the box I went over and covered Robby up so he could rest once more. The mom came over and he opened his mouth oh so wide and she fed him.
(Daddy robin guarding Robby)
“He’s going to be all right I thought, but then the geese came toward him. I saw them from his point of view and suddenly they looked menacing. Quickly, I opened the door ran onto the porch not taking the time to open the gate I flung myself over the railing much to Irish's surprise.
I shooed the geese away and down the hill only to attract Miracle. I felt like a mother who came home from the hospital and suddenly noticed all the electrical outlets. Luring Miracle to another area of the yard I took a large stick and imitating Little Bo Peep I herded my gaggle of robin mongers into the backyard where they couldn’t accost a terrified Robby.
(like vultures they descended)
(you'd never know they're herbivores from the looks of them)
(Miracle gives chase - one of her favorite games - although she never hurts anyone- Linda, one of Lloyd's daughters is in the rear)
I tried to fill out the insurance forms I was supposed to complete, but I could barely concentrate. I kept going back and forth to the window checking to see what was going on. I called Lisa asking her if she thought I should take him in. “Nahh, if the parents are there he’ll be OK” she assured me. “If he’s there in several hours then maybe” she left the door open. My friend Rowan assured me robins spend several days on the ground and she herself had made the mistake of putting them back up in their nests when in fact, they needed to be on the ground to learn to fly. I still felt unsure, but I had to go with the collective wisdom.
Amy came over with her mother to sign her lease. She needed it as proof of her residence so she could go get her Washington driver’s license. We chatted about my printer. “I have no idea why it says it doesn’t “recognize” my ink cartridges, but it won’t print.” I complained.
“Well, we’ll make a copy when we’re in town.”
“Oh you missed the events of the morning.” I said.
“What happened?” Amy asked intrigued
“There was a baby bird, a robin, I used one of your boxes as a shelter.”
“Oh we wondered why the box was up on the lawn.” Amy said. “I thought the wind blew it.”
“I saw him hop over with his parents by the shop near the fence. I think Robby’s going to be ok,” I said happily as they left.
I went to the window and didn’t see Robby as I saw them pull out. Relieved he’d gotten to safety, I could finally concentrate on my insurance forms and get some of the lines filled out. I glanced at the clock and realized I had to go get Henry. Pulling up to the gate, I got out to open it, as is my custom, and noticed something in the road. Fear gripped my heart, as I knew, what it was. I walked closer. It was Robby crushed and lifeless. Amy had unwittingly run him over.
Teary eyed I got in the car and started sobbing. Why didn’t I just put him in the box I berated myself. He’d be ok right now. I thought of how very hard he’d struggled to live, never giving up. I thought of his parents trying to help him. I felt I let him down. I know I can’t save them all but I have to try. It’s my nature.
