I had my own mockingbird ordeal last night, but it involved ‘snake-icide’ on my part. Mama Mockingbird has a nest in the dogwood next to my front porch, and was out making strange noises last night. Investigation ensued, and the flashlight showed a snake climbing toward the babies, while Mama valiantly tried to distract the snake. I ran to the rescue, and, lo and behold, the snake started multiplying. Eventually, I killed six of the shoulderless SOBs, and managed to smash the bejesus out of my finger in the process. Fortunately, I think the baby birds are okay, which makes me feel better about the fact that the kittens got Mama’s clutch last spring…
Of course, I’m laughing at myself today, since The Great Snake Hunter forgot that her parents’ entire freakin’ arsenal is stored in my house right now. However, a shovel, a pair of lopping shears, and a fireplace poker (for pulling snakes off limbs) are pretty darned effective!
What? You would have showered the snakes with buckshot? :eek:
I onced saved a baby bunny from a cat. I heard unnatural screams in the middle of the night and looked out the window to see EvilCat pawing at something caught in our chain link fence. I rushed outside, scared off EvilCat, and met a poor, defenseless bunny who had eaten one carrot too many and was unable to clear the holes in the fence. I must say he had one impressive set of lungs on him. I couldn’t leave him lest EvilCat return, so I threw rocks at my parents’ window until my dad finally woke up. After a few minutes, I was able to convince him that he wasn’t having a dream and he needed to come outside immediately. Oh, and bring some wire cutters.
He swore up a storm when the bunny paid him back by biting him but when he hopped off safely, we were all very happy. Except, of course, EvilCat, who was hoping to present BabyBunny at the feet of his owners the next morning.
Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne, And smale foweles maken melodye,
That slepen al the nyght with open eye-
(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages);
Nope – more likely the .410 or the .22, maybe the .25 pistol. Since I’m neither a hunter nor a marksman, buckshot would be reserved for pure self-defense. (BTW, I live in a very rural area, with only one neighbor within 1000 yards of my front door. I do know gun safety, and it’s not like I’m shooting up a city street corner.)
Since I’m neither a hunter nor a marksman, buckshot would be reserved for pure self-defense. (BTW, I live in a very rural area, with only one neighbor within 1000 yards of my front door. I do know gun safety, and it’s not like I’m shooting up a city street corner.)