Friday, December 26, 2008

Nice Recovery

During the Christmas festivities at the Bag Lady's house, a Downy Woodpecker got confused when leaving the feeder and smacked into the Bag Lady's kitchen window!

The Rancher went outside to check on him and discovered him nearly unconscious on the snow-covered deck. The Rancher picked him up and held him in his warm hands to help him recover: (click on any of the pictures to enlarge)


The poor little guy was in a stupor for quite some time:


But he did finally manage to lift his head:


The Rancher held him while he got his bearings:


He did eventually recover and the Rancher released him.
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32 comments:

  1. WWSuziDecember 26, 2008 at 8:24 AM

    Aww that's so sweet that you guys were able to help him! And what nice pictures.

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  2. the Bag LadyDecember 26, 2008 at 8:25 AM

    Thanks, spunkysuzi! The poor little guy was pretty shaken up!

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  3. Leah J. UtasDecember 26, 2008 at 8:58 AM

    Tragedy to triumph. Excellent pictorial and good for Don for taking such good care of the little guy.

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  4. the Bag LadyDecember 26, 2008 at 9:15 AM

    Thanks, dfLeah - the poor little thing must have really smacked into the window - their skulls are designed to really protect their brains!

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  5. MelissaDecember 26, 2008 at 9:15 AM

    OMG what a great Christmas story!!!

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  6. the Bag LadyDecember 26, 2008 at 9:17 AM

    Thanks, Melissa! I'm just glad it had a happy ending!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 26, 2008 at 9:23 AM

    Oh my gosh. I love you. you two are so kind hearted.

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  8. the Bag LadyDecember 26, 2008 at 9:27 AM

    Thanks, Miz! I'm sure anyone would have done the same - poor little guy just needed a moment of protection and warmth.

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  9. RebDecember 26, 2008 at 9:44 AM

    Great photos Sis. I'll bet he was very glad that you & the "bird whisperer" were there to take care of him.

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  10. the Bag LadyDecember 26, 2008 at 9:49 AM

    Thanks, Sis! He must have been grateful because he didn't poop on or peck the "bird-whisperer"!
    And I'm pretty sure it was him who was back at the feeder this morning!

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  11. JavaChickDecember 26, 2008 at 9:49 AM

    Lucky little woodpecker!

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  12. the Bag LadyDecember 26, 2008 at 9:50 AM

    Javachick - well, he would certainly have had a tale to tell when he got back to the rest of the birds!

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  13. UnknownDecember 26, 2008 at 10:48 AM

    Poor little birdie. Am glad he's okay:) Good thing you found him before some other critter did!

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  14. Ann (bunnygirl)December 26, 2008 at 11:53 AM

    Yay! Nice rescue for a sweet little bird!

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  15. the Bag LadyDecember 26, 2008 at 1:41 PM

    Sagan - it's a good thing our cats weren't outside or the poor little guy would have been history!

    BG - He definitely needed rescuing.

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  16. DawnDecember 26, 2008 at 3:36 PM

    Good on you and the Rancher. Not only warm hands but warm heart too.

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  17. AnonymousDecember 26, 2008 at 5:41 PM

    I agree with Dawn above: warm hands & warm hearts. :)
    And great photos! Thanks for sharing.

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  18. solarityDecember 26, 2008 at 5:43 PM

    It makes my head hurt just hearing about it. Lucky I don't fly.

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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  19. AnonymousDecember 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM

    Okay, that may be the cutest thing I've seen all day.

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  20. the Bag LadyDecember 27, 2008 at 5:20 AM

    Dawn - we do have our moments! :)

    kcinnova - thanks.

    Mary Anne - I know what you mean. Poor little guy must have really smacked it hard!

    Tricia - thanks!

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  21. new*meDecember 27, 2008 at 8:25 AM

    sharing that Christmas spirit.........awww!

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  22. the Bag LadyDecember 27, 2008 at 8:30 AM

    That's exactly how I responded to the little bird, Annette - Awww...

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  23. Tom RooneyDecember 27, 2008 at 5:28 PM

    You got to like that Rancher! Oh, and his bride too.

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  24. the Bag LadyDecember 27, 2008 at 7:16 PM

    Thanks, Tom. The Rancher does have his moments!

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  25. UnknownDecember 28, 2008 at 7:53 AM

    Oh...this is the sweetest thing I've read in a long time. Love myself some birds! And I love your Rancher, too :)

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  26. the Bag LadyDecember 28, 2008 at 8:04 AM

    Thanks, Lynn! I love birds, too, and was a little worried until we knew he was going to recover!

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  27. Crabby McSlackerDecember 28, 2008 at 8:29 AM

    How sweet! And what a great series of pictures.

    We have a lot of bird-crashes during summer when they get drunk on berries and slam into the window. I always feel so bad for the little guys. Glad the rancher was successful!

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  28. the Bag LadyDecember 28, 2008 at 9:32 AM

    Crabby - too bad the poor little bird had to be practically unconscious in order for me to get good pictures! :)
    We have had several unfortunate incidents over the years with that big kitchen window, so I was glad this one had a happy ending.

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  29. HilaryDecember 28, 2008 at 12:55 PM

    Aww so sweet. I've had sparrows and chickadees slam into our window. I remember speaking to my vet once, asking him what we should do when that happens. He said that they usually survive, and need that moment or several in a safe place to recover, away from predators. I'm glad you two were there to help it.. and photograph it. Well done. :)

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  30. the Bag LadyDecember 28, 2008 at 1:08 PM

    Hilary - I'm glad we were there, too, rather than one of the cats...

    I'm pretty sure neither cat would have been very compassionate toward the little guy!

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  31. ChristineDecember 29, 2008 at 1:26 PM

    That'll teach you for spiking their bird seed with egg nog!

    Just kidding of course :) I'm glad the little downey woodpecker is ok - they're lovely little birds.

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  32. the Bag LadyDecember 29, 2008 at 1:33 PM

    Christine - how did you know...? :)

    They are cute little birds, so I was quite glad it recovered.

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