To the Editor:
This past summer, I had a wonderful Mother Nature experience to share. While working outside one morning, I noticed a Hairy Woodpecker stuck on our kitchen screen door.
Walking over, I gently plucked it off with my gloved hands, holding it softly to calm it down. With a red patch and somewhat disheveled feathers, I took it to be an immature male.
After a moment or two, I tossed him in the air, but he just plopped down to the ground.
What to do?
My training from caring for caged birds ‘down on the farm’ kicked in, so I grabbed a broomstick from the shop and placed it before “Woody” and he hopped right on.
There I was holding him up on the stick, and while he’s staring at me, my only wish was that my wife Judi was home to get a snapshot of this. Who would believe it?
Talking softly as I carried him out back, he placidly roosted on the stick. He hopped onto the suet feeder when I placed him next to it.
I left the area and he sat there looking around. After a fashion, I heard squawking and noticed an adult Hairy Woodpecker flying about and soon, both were gone.
What with all the turmoil in this world, everyday crises, whether real or manufactured, the Orwellian forms of propaganda flowing from the government – I must say it was a pure pleasure for me to spend a moment helping one of God’s little creatures.
Ernie Moreau, Newcastle
