Wednesday, September 23, 2015

A little morning meet-up

This morning on my way to the barn, a flutter beside the driveway caught my attention. I looked down and spotted this varied thrush. I caught its attention, and it fluttered into the pasture fence.
I spotted some fuzz; between that and the inept fluttering, I thought it was a fledgling. On closer inspection, the fluff seemed to be in its bill, not on its head, but it still looked young. Product of a second clutch, perhaps?

I didn't want to leave it where one of the dogs could easily grab it, so I gently herded it under the fence and into the pasture (where I snapped another photo).
I took another from farther down the driveway, just before it took off across the pasture. It didn't gain enough altitude to clear the fence, so was still somewhat safe from the dogs.
Oreo was on hand at the barn waiting for breakfast; I hope the cat food kept her occupied until this young bird "earned its wings." We need all the beautiful birdsong we can get in this ol' world!

Off to enjoy another Southern Tomato Pie for supper at . . .

5 comments:

Theresa said...

I see these thrushes a little later in the fall. We have had a few grosbeak fledglings that have failed to thrive this year. I wonder sometimes if it is WNV. Lovely pictures of a wonderful bird though. Hope he makes it!

Mary Ann said...

The thrush was beautiful! I have never had Southern Tomato Pie. We have had a surfeit of tomatoes here, though.

Michelle said...

Have you found dead grosbeaks, Theresa? That would be worrisome.

Sara, have you found a way to keep the birds safe from Betsy?

Oh Mary Ann, you really need to make one! I posted the recipe recently; it's GOOD.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you were able to shepherd the little one to safe grounds. I agree that we need all the birdsong we can get!

erica said...

I love little birds. I'm not sure if we have these birds around here.