I awoke to a slight clattering noise.
My first thought was that it was the turtle slipping off his basking rock. I remembered seeing him basking before I went to bed, and he is big and lumbering.
My second thought was, since I'm awake...
and wandered into the livingroom to see a huge pigeon flying around.
He didn't seem happy to be visiting my humble abode.
Very quickly, the scent of fresh air from the open door lured him outside again where he landed on the railing. I swear he turned back to check that he was safe.
"my god, that was close" he must have been thinking before he flew off.
Which was rather close to what I was thinking.
I leave the door open, mostly for the fresh air, but also to let the cat wander in and out at will.
I glanced down at her as she followed me into the room.
"what? did I miss something?" she seemed to say as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.
I pointed outside.
"oh. they are filthy nuisances aren't they? I'm going back to bed."
Which was pretty much what I did.
After I closed the balcony door.
That's one of the scariest things: a bird trapped inside your apartment.
ReplyDeleteNora: it was a bit unnerving, yes. luckily he found the door before I realized it was scary.
ReplyDeleteand before he pooped on my chesterfield!
oh wow - that would have freaked me out a bit. glad everyone was safe, including the pigeon.
ReplyDeleteChar: I'm not sure how I would have got him out, if he hadn't found the door himself. yelling "shoo" would probably have done nothing!
ReplyDeleteBetty: she is so lazy when it comes to wildlife! I was counting on her to save me from spiders and mice, but she just sits there and watches them until she gets bored...
ReplyDeleteAs long as the door was open, he'd eventually have found the way out... and yeah... poop all over the place? Never good.
ReplyDeleteJazz: haha - as I am just reading on your blog!!
ReplyDeleteNicely-written story. Like it. I have a similar problem with bats...
ReplyDeleteLouise: thanks. I suppose if you have bats, they have moved in with you, which would be a big problem. otherwise, I think I like the critters (I say softly, as people think that's weird).
ReplyDeleteBirds that fly indoors by mistake -
ReplyDelete*shudder*
- is one of my phobias. The very idea just about freaks me right out! And you (and your cat) just calmly wander into the room and watch the pigeon fly out!
*more shudders *
(Glad it was a poopless adventure, though!)
Pinklea: well, to be fair, I didn't know he was there when I walked in. and I kinda froze until he flew out a moment later.
ReplyDeletethe cat on the other hand, usually (used to) goes insane when there are birds about, getting all fluffy and making strangled noises and pacing back and forth. (but when push comes to shove, she is very meek and runs away.)
I had a bird in the house once and nearly went insane. Our attic door did not close all the way and it came in through there. The reason I went berserk was because I was a new young mother and went all crazy Mama Bear. I didn't have a cat at the time but if I had, and he hadn't noticed, I would have known I had a truly lazy cat.
ReplyDeleteYou did the right thing keeping calm (even if it was "frozen" - jumping up and down and running around just makes them worse. They only need to know where Out is, and deceptive widows covered and they will go.
ReplyDeleteSo will bats.
Its moths that get me frantic!
Stupid, aren't we??
Geewits: I am very disappointed in Abby - she is the one who races to the door whenever anyone comes near. I guess the thought of a chin scratch is more important than wild gamey meat.
ReplyDeleteGilly: there is a curtain covering the doorway, but it had shifted just enough along the rod, I guess, for him to be confused. I was surprised when he left so quickly. then again, he was crashing about for a several seconds before I stumbled on its misadventure.
ReplyDeleteI left my door open as I was bringing in groceries. It spooked the baby birds that were nesting nearby and they flew right into my house!! Ack! Now I had four baby birds squawking! And mom confused as to what to do. So I left the door open and mom proceeded to come in and call the babies to her. They followed one by one. It was quite a sight to behold!! No to mention that my walls were covered in bird poo! Babies sure poop a lot!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Who needs to buy magazines at bookstores when we've got blogs like these around. Loved the pigeon story, the lego wall, the thoughts on numbers. You are quite the journalist.
ReplyDeleteYour comment on my blog about the contrails being absent in Europe made me realize how timely our photo was-- pure serendipity.
Happy weekend!
Jan
GDP
I must admit I get a bit flustered by flapping birds! We sometimes get them down our chimney, and they insist on flying right into the windows in a depserate flap to get out again. Our cats aren't as 'forgiving' as yours and will have them in a heartbeat if we don't get the poor birds out pronto!
ReplyDeleteA large bird like that can be a little un-nerving. Last summer a flicker figured out how to get down the chimney of our wood stove. Luckily we heard him in there and after opening the doors and windows, let him out and he immediately flew out the nearest door completely unharmed.
ReplyDeleteit cost a little trouble...
ReplyDeletebut thanks! your safe..
Well, I've had bluebirds and sparrows and once even a bat in my house, but I have never had a pigeon! Did he leave any reminders behind? That would be nasty! So glad Kitty didn't lose any sleep over it! ;)
ReplyDeleteSueAnn: I wonder, did she find a new spot to nest the next year after that escapade?
ReplyDeleteJan: aw, thanks. some blogs (like yours) inspire me.
ReplyDeleteSaj: all that desperate flapping does unnerve me rather. we used to get them crashing into the picture window of my childhood home.
ReplyDeleteMontucky: it was a rather large bird - and one wall of windows, so I was afraid it might take him awhile to make his escape.
ReplyDeleteMaxcon: thanks for visiting. we were all safe in the end!
ReplyDeleteSusan: he didn't leave any residue behind. mostly it is just the pigeons that get on the balcony. sometimes a bluejay (when stupid people try to feed them)
ReplyDelete