Danger from Below

For small birds and animals, danger lurks below them and above them. Caution and alertness are the watchwords of their day. As I glanced out my window a couple of days ago, I blinked and looked again. Under the bird feeder sat a hawk. He just sat on the ground, looking all around him, hooked beak at the ready. Small birds and most of the squirrels had vanished. The only animal present in the crepe myrtle tree where my feeders hang was one scared squirrel.

I was amazed at the squirrel’s actions. He didn’t freeze with fear; he didn’t try to run. He didn’t seem to know what to do.

The squirrel grasped those crepe myrtle limbs, turned over and under them, started to go here, started to go there and couldn’t make up his mind what to do.

Meanwhile, certain death sat below him. I wondered about the hawk. Was he not able to look up? Was he unable to fly among the tangle of limbs and feeders? These two, hawk and squirrel, were involved in what could have been a deadly struggle, but wasn’t. The hawk finally flew away without a squirrel or any smaller bird for breakfast.

The cardinals, purple finches, chickadees, titmice, and juncos simply vanished when the hawk flew in. They weren’t about to take chances with the big, winged menace. But, what was wrong with that squirrel? Was he a little glutton who just wanted one more mouthful of seeds?

Maybe his famous reputation for being unable to make a decision paid off.  I hope he learned a lesson about being more alert, but somehow, I doubt that he did.

Sometimes people get in a snarl much like the squirrel. We don’t know what to do. I’m reminded of a silly rhyme: When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. I didn’t hear the squirrel screaming but he probably would have if he could. However, he sure did a good job of turning somersaults and scrambling around in circles.

This is a picture of some bird tracks in the snow on my deck a few days ago. Hopefully, the little bird who made them is still alive and well and has retained the ability to flee from danger when he sees it coming.

Tomorrow, I’m honored to have as my guest author, Evelyn Cullet.  I was her guest author a few days ago and she still has my blog on her site. It’s a delightful site and Evelyn is a talented author of several books, her newest being The Tarkington Treasure.  I think you’ll enjoy it.