I have mentioned someone who I volunteer with at the Rehab Center that we affectionately call Uncle Bill. Not because he is like an uncle to us... no, to the animals he cares for.
I adore Bill myself. Just took an instant liking to him. He comes in and works hard... took on the outside stalls called mews where we keep all the little ducklings that come in, the songbirds that are transitioning from fledgelings to adulthood, gulls, herons, geese, etc... and further back in the yard there are a few fenced in pens, that can have anything from the baby goat and little pigs to alligators. Uncle Bill cares for them all no matter how scorching it is, no matter that he is sloshed in duck poop and slimy fishy water. He takes his time and he is gentle with the animals. We are not to treat them as pets, so as not to imprint them to humans... but Bill spends time with each animal as he goes about his chores. He delights in them -- as many are quite amusing... like this black crown heron that he named Mr. Personality. There are 5 in this pen, but you'll know which one he is.
Before I knew of this name, I had gone in to help clean up the fish they'd had for lunch, and had no idea why that one was going on. I mean, I heard him going on while I attended to the ducks in the pen close to this, so he's not reacting to a person in the pen. At some point I thought to myself, maybe he fell or flew into a window to get to us, and he has suffered some kind of brain damage, lol.
We figure the other ones have no idea what he's going on about, and possibly want him to just STOP. The poor guy to the left is not related to him, but they came in together. We figure he just thinks: "Somehow I got stuck with wacko over here."
If you view it again, U.B. also named the three who stand regally at the top left as the Three Magi's because they stand so stoically, looking upon it all. I think the names are perfect.
What a crack up animals can be. Have you ever seen a black crown heron? And why, I wonder, aren't they black?
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5 comments:
Living close to the bayous, we see herons a lot. My grandkids go to an elementary school that has quite a large wetlands/pond/river and there is a green night heron who hangs out there. also they nest in some of the trees in the neighborhood. A few years ago, one came and fished in my friend's pond in her backyard. When she got home, all her fish were gone.
Mr Personality reminds me of the guy who sits on the other side of my cubicle at work. I think he has a need to express every thought he has, so it's a running commentary of his day. Quite annoying, actually. I feel for the other birds!
Laurie -- Very funny!
Ellen -- I have heard similar stories.
That is hilarious! My 20-year-old son was watching with me and we were laughing out loud. The other birds seem so dignified, as though they are trying very hard to ignore his behavior.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I've enjoyed yours very much.
Oh Beth -- that does my heart good to hear!!! Thanks for letting me know!
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