The rescue mission

This morning, as I was writing my previous entry, I heard a lot of commotion outside. Birds chirping loudly. When I looked up, I saw several birds flying really low, swooping down, grazing the surface of the water in the large pond.

I wasn't sure what they were up to so I got up to have a closer look. At first I thought they were eating flies, but then I saw a little bird struggling to get out out the water. Then, I saw a trout jumping up and pulling it down. By this time, I'm shouting for Kevin to come out. We're surveying the situation, wishing the bird would reappear, but not overly hopeful. Then pop came the bird, flapping its wings, desperately trying to get to shore. He made it, exhausted and soaked, he waited on the dirt bank for a long while. I was afraid he wouldn't be able to hold on and fall back in.

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Kevin scooped down and carefully picked up this little blue-grey swallow and placed him gently under one of our bushes, well clear of the water. He looked stunned (the bird, not Kevin). He lay there quietly, spreading his wings to dry them out. After about 5 minutes or so, having had time to recuperate, he flew off. It ended up being a lucky day for this little guy... thanks to Kevin.

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