Love is in the air! In fact quite literally in my neighborhood! The birds seem to be focused on one thing lately, and ignoring the world around them, to the possible detriment of us and their egos!
Case in point while taking a neighborhood walk, a robin came flying past, safely overhead, at what seemed like an accelerated speed. Seconds later a male robin was in hot pursuit, so focused on his lady friend that Dad realized the bird was on a collision course with his head! He yelled, “DUCK!” To which Mom, thinking he was referring to a recent sighting of geese overhead, said, “Where?” Thankfully, she did look up, and ducked with barely seconds to spare. Not once did the robin react! I’ve been walking the patrol beat for 11 years, and never have I seen a bird not acknowledge a moving target in its path. I’ve seen them accidentally drop their lunch on Mom. But never almost crash into her!
Unscathed, we headed home, only to find Tom Turkey with his tail feathers all fanned out to impress the wild hens in our yard. Now usually when the turkeys see us approach they trot away. The females did exactly that and headed into the woods. But not ol’ Tom. He thought he could impress the ladies by making a run at us! Again Dad’s fast thinking came to the rescue! He let out a loud yell and stomped his foot, which sent the turkey scurrying back into the woods, in the opposite direction of the hens I might add. We then noticed a few additional male turkeys in the wood line watching. Poor Tom isn’t going to live this one down with his buddies for a long time! So much for the big tough guy routine!
I’m not too familiar with the dating habits of birds. But I do have the nickname of cASAnova. May I suggest to my feathered forest friends to follow the lead of their ocean counterparts? While on the beach this weekend, we watched as one gull gallantly swept down, picked up a ginormous clam shell, flew high into the air, and then dropped it on the beach with a loud crack to break it open. All while his lady friend watched. He then majestically flew down, picked it up, and landed next to the other gull. Together they enjoyed a nice breakfast on the beach. Now that’s how to impress a lady! None of this chasing or acting like a tough guy stuff!
