I am having an existential crisis today.
Why do good things die? And...
Why are some people mean for no reason?
We had a sad development at RAPTOR today. At some point last night, Elvis passed away.
Here we are together at a program earlier this summer.
Geoff, the girls and I were out doing a family togetherness day when I got the call from the renters at the RAPTOR house. They had found Elvis' body during daily feeding. We immediately headed home and I went on to RAPTOR to help out. We are certain that a small predator, possibly a weasel, chewed its way in to Elvis' cage and killed him. This is a very unusual occurance, and we have moved all the vulnerable birds into either the basement or to other cages for now, until we can reinforce the walls. Weasels are fierce animals who can chew through just about anything except for metal. They are very slim and supple, and they can squeeze into a very, very small space.
This is not something that RAPTOR will tolerate. Some serious modifications are coming.
***
As I drove back from RAPTOR, the tears were still coming. I moved into our exit lane, and as I did, a car came up along side me. A male voice rang out:
"Hey! Hey, buddy! You're an asshole!"
And then he gave me the finger.
Now, I hadn't cut anyone off, or tailgated, or anything. The only thing that I could think of that would cause someone to do that was my bumper sticker. I have a few on my car:
One says "Eat like a bird" with a picture of a golden eagle eating a rat.
Another says "Bird watching Rocks!"
The only one that I have ever had someone comment on is this one:
"My Peregrine Falcon is smarter than your honor student."
99.99% of people love that bumper sticker. I have been hailed at red lights by people who say that it has made their day. I see people smiling and pointing at it in my rear view mirror.
This is maybe the second time that someone has actually yelled at me about it. Both times: Young white males with a definite red-neck flavor.
Any other day, I would have brushed it off like a pesky fly. But I was in tears, driving with my elbow on the window and my hand over my mouth, just trying to get home to people who love me and understand how awful this day was.
Why are some people so thoughtless and mean and crass? Why do something intentional to ruin someone's day? Sure, they didn't know that I was mourning the loss of a special, wonderful owl. But damn it, was flipping me off really necessary?
I need a cleansing end to this post.
How about toad 'tocks?
"I don't approve of being so close to you."
"Why don't you take a picture? It lasts longer. Oh..."
Le sigh....this is a flycatcher, but I'll be damned if I can ID it. I don't know if I even give a damn right now.
Ever notice how juvenile hummingbirds will try to get nectar out of anything? Even a really parched sunflower.
Well, I don't know if I feel cleansed or not.
This is where you flood my comments section with warm words of comfort and friendship. Seriously. I need some love.
