A Gift Horse .....

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

Woke up at eight, today. In my chair. I'd obviously had an even heavier night than usual Naturally, I wanted to let the dogs out, before we all settled down again for a 'proper' bit of kip.

 

So, I've opened the door and out they've rushed. Happy children. Only, when I've stepped out to see what they're doing, they're all baiting this old, semi derelict, Larsen Trap I have out there!

 

I can vaguely remember it all now. Dogs all feinting at various sides of the trap. Small bird in there. Now too panicked to fly back out the big hole in the top it got in through. Without thinking, I just automatically went over there and reached in.

 

My governor and I were once checking swallows nests, in an abandoned cottage. We entered a room and there was an adult swallow in there. Without a word or hesitation, he shut the door.

 

The bird was hand caught and duly ringed. He told me then; " Never turn down the opportunity to ring a bird. " I listen well.

 

So, here I am. Functioning completely on automatic pilot. Yet, I've managed to fetch this bird in here. Lock the dogs away and process it absolutely faultlessly.

 

I have all the proper measurements and so forth recorded in my field log. They'll be transcribed to my Record Book presently. And my boss informed.

 

Still feels like something I did a year or two ago though. But, it wasn't. And I have the photograph to prove it.

 

Baby Robin .....