Well, I have successfully relocated Snakester McVillain. He was unhappy about the car ride, let me tell you. He was thrashing back and forth inside the trash can. I thought sure he was going to tip it and I was going to have loose angry snake in the van. Motherfucking snake in this motherfucking van!
But we made it to Pintail Lake. I opened the can and let him sit there for a bit to chill, and he finally did. So then I tipped the can over and retreated, thinking he'd shoot out, but he was very cautious and declined to leave the can for a while. Then he came out and went underneath the handy rock I had provided for him.
The baby phoebe has once more escaped the nest, this time landing inside a bag of our recyclables. She was very unhappy with me retrieving her from there, but I don't know what else to do. I can't keep handling her, but she also can't live inside my recycling bag! So I got her back up in the nest again, and we have rigged up a catching platform (i.e., my repurposed tray feeder) on top of a ladder underneath the nest. If she falls on it, we'll just leave her there, but I suspect freedom is in her heart at this point. Unfortunately for her, her tail feathers are not fully developed enough for flight.
Anyway. She's back for the moment. I don't know how much I can or should do.
I think she's gotten the taste of freedom, and also probably rightfully doesn't feel like the nest is particularly safe. Which is all true, but it is MORE SAFE THAN THE GROUND, phoebe!
Oh, no, Cass, I'm so sorry! Poor Kittenish! I'm glad you got to be with her at the last, though.
Okay, I checked and this website says that they fledge about 12 to 14 days after they've hatched. I posted on facebook that they'd hatched on the 11th, but I'm pretty sure they had already hatched the day before I left for Phoenix, so the 9th.
Which would put today at day 13, so maybe I don't need to fuss so much. Although that makes it just so much sadder for the two that didn't make it. They were so close.
I don't know much about the fledging process. But anyway, maybe I don't need to worry so much, just make sure she doesn't fall into something she can't get out of.
Which is all true, but it is MORE SAFE THAN THE GROUND, phoebe!
Oh what a reckless phoebe. I hope she stays safe.
I'm so grateful that Kittenish made it until I could hold her. I am a wreck. I mean, I've been dealing with my dad having non-operable cancerous brain tumors for three weeks and then she suddenly went from being awesome to desperate. I'm going to miss her so much.
{{{{{Cass}}}}} I'm so sorry. I'm glad you were able to say good-bye. Tons of ~ma for your dad too.
