Attack of the Crows

I walk the dogs in the early morning - in the dark. (time change) It's not something I feel entirely comfortable doing but - you gotta do what you gotta do. The little darlings need their exercise.

I arrived at the second intersection and heard a crow squawking fiercely. I'm not a big fan of crows. They be ugly and loud with no class. I ignored the commotion. We walked on determined to get our business done. The loud screeching seemed to follow us. One streetlight was out.

All of a sudden I heard a thump. I looked back over my shoulder and their on the burnt out lamppost sat the crow. Screeching at the top of his lung capacity. I began to feel a little uneasy and the hair on the back of my neck stood at attention. I searched for a stick lying on the ground to defend myself and the buddies. Nothing.

I had flashbacks of the Alfred Hitchcock movie - 'The Birds.' I was getting really-really creeped out. The squawking continued at a frantic pace and so did the stalking. Next time I will bring something besides the tissue stuck in my waistband for doggie droppings.

Should I turn around? Run for the hills? Wait - no hills in Florida. Here I was dressed in dark clothing in the dark of the morning and I surely didn't stand out like a sore thumb. The doggies on the other hand are light in color with neon doggie vest. Now I am sure that caught the crows attention. Did he think his breakfast was walking down the sidewalk in the early morning darkness? Wish I had a stick, slingshot or perhaps a B.B. gun.

I picked up my pace and headed for home. I certainly did not want to end up a statistic of a crow attack. And I didn't want the flying monster to take off with one of my little ones. Dog walking in the dark is a dangerous occupation. Maybe I could buy a treadmill for their exercise.

Alfred Hitchcock

Apparently no one informed me about the Cardinal Rally in my yard. One lost soul some how flew inside my screened in lanai. She was in a total panic trying to get back out and her 100 other friends were flying on the outside with chirps of encouragement. Some were bold and flew right at the screen. I presume they were trying to show her the way out.

What is it lately with screens and critters. Saturday night the dog and today cardinals. And if you flew inside the enclosure why can't you find your way back out? I guess you don't have a built in Garmin.

So there are about a hundred or more cardinals flying around my yard and hanging out in the trees. What's up? A remake of the birds. They seem quite happy - chirping away and the rain has stopped so what do they want? More rain? Is it never enough for birds.

It's a little on the creepy side walking outside with all those birds up in the trees and flying over head. The spider looks like a lovely meal. I wonder if he jumped in the pool to get away from the birds but met a different fate? Let's see - eaten alive by birds or drowning in a pool? Choose one.

Must be spring is in the air and that could only mean spring break is just around the corner. Hooooooraaaayyyy. I need the break.

The Damn Birds

On so many levels the movie - The Birds' burns into your psyche. For most of us that have seen the movie (time and time again) it has etched into our thoughts that birds truly can be devious. We are like prey vulnerable to their tactics.

I'm getting this feeling that I am in a permanent Alfred Hitchcock movie of the birds. In my backyard - actually it's in my neighbors back yard but this tree has engulfed over into my space. It's a huge tree and provides some privacy. Lately the tree has become home to - the crows. Not just one or two but an entire flock - sometimes I have counted 12 black crows. They are loud and big. I suspect they could cart off a little yappy dog or a small child. Of which I have neither.

The tree has become this roosting spot and it is giving me the creeps. Unable to contain myself the other day I started to throw stones at them. Off they flew only to return a few hours later. They congregate and shriek at all hours of the day. I had thoughts of shooting at then with my b.b. gun but I am out of b.b's and that would be cruel.

Lately I have been noticing lots of crows in my neighbor, at the grocery store and along the road feasting on road kill. Too many birds with a bad attitude are invading my space. I wonder what they are conspiring to do? They seem like birds on a rampage. At times like this I am wishing I never watched the Alfred Hitchcock movie - 'The Birds'. Are they out to get us? Perhaps I need to purchase a little sports car to use as my get away vehicle.

Flying Rats

I'm walking nonchalantly through the parking lot to buy groceries enjoying the beautiful sunshine and great weather. It's a Florida thing. Puffy white clouds bright sun and a slight gulf breeze were just mesmerizing. I found a parking space close to the door. I'm enjoying life and ignoring the pain in my arm from the surgery. I'm heading to the pharmacy to retrieve my prescriptions to ease the dull arm ache and kill any bad germs that may be attacking my innards.
The fact that I took an entire day off from work also may me giddy.
All of a sudden just like the Alfred Hitchcock movie, 'The Birds', with Tippi Hedron, - they came - out of nowhere. A gigantus flock of them flying ever so low over the parking lot and my head. The ultimate displeasure happened. Plop. Right on my head and dribbling down my face. OMG. The flying rats were dumping their waste right on top of me and it wasn't coming from their beaks. How embarrassing - how demeaning - how disgusting. What to do? I need that medicine and I need it now!
I pondered the situation and realized my pain needed drugs. I strutted right inside the store grabbed several of the wipes that they keep by the front door to remove fecal matter from the grocery carts and I started wiping. Actually I used half of the canister. I did one last wipe of my hands and strolled right up to the prescription drop-off counter. The pharmacist gave me a strange look but I stood my ground. I waited impatiently in line for my prescriptions and ignored the stares and whispers. My payback for taking the entire day off????

Hitchcocks muse

I watched Alfred Hitchcock's - The Birds last night for the gazillionth time. I have always wondered - Why did those birds attack? We never find out and that creeps me out a bit. For days after watching the movie birds seem to spook me.

Today when I go for my walk I will be searching the treetops for wacko birds. I will stay away from schoolyards with playgrounds, small towns with a bar/cafe, birthday parties, farms, bays and telephone booths.

Then, I wondered why Tippi's hair was always so perfect - even after being attacked by dozens of crazed birds her beehive did stay intact. Perhaps it was in her contract - not to muss up the hair - might make her look bad. Stars certainly don't want a bad hair day.

So today will be my - Beware of Birds day - thanks Al.