Nature at Play - The Sequel

When the battle between a pet and a wild bird drags on for too long, you wonder what the outcome will be. In a sequel to the battle between the bird and the cat, an unexpected turn tipped the scales in this evenly-matched stand-off. Enter... the dog! Yes, Ben, our ageing German Shepherd, took matters into his own hands - or that had better be, into his own mouth. He managed to get more than a passing hold on one of the bird's offspring this morning, much to the disadvantage of the bird. Needless to say the remaining bird family now no longer regards the cat as enemy number 1. Funeral arrangements have already been attended to by Ev.

Nature at Play

Springtime in Melbourne brings its own joys and wonders. Ours have come in the form of 'pet wars'. Our courteous and cool cat has been under attack from a starling who has obviously built a nearby nest. Our cat Michaela is wont to sit at the bedroom window watching the traffic pass, but in recent days has been subject to dive-bomb attacks while sitting and minding her own business at the window.

It becomes a source of constant distraction (it is almost past the amusement stage) to hear the bird and cat chirping (literally - the cat chirps!) at one another, often for extended periods. Allowing the cat outside is akin to animal cruelty, as the bird launches its bombing attacks at the cat's head! There's definitely no love lost here.

I am tempted to get out the ladder and go looking for the nest, but having seen the bird at work, I'm not prepared to risk being pecked off the ladder at such heights!

It makes for interesting entertainment. Only a few more weeks until the baby birds must be ready to fly the nest.