212 - Woodpecker

Mike and I were in the living room with Gracie while the other paw walkers slept in the mancave. Gracie was exploring a little, getting some time out of the kennel, which is new. She settled on the arm of the couch and we were just relaxing when we heard a loud bang... another bird hit the window. I told Mike I saw it sail off to his left and it was probably still on the ground, so he looked and it was there... a little woodpecker.

We got a towel and he picked it up and held it until the shock wore off and it could fly away. In the meantime we snapped a lot of pics because when do you get the opportunity to hold a woodpecker?

We didn't know if it was dying, stunned or had a broken wing at first.

It started to get a little more active so we started to hope it would fly

Sharp claws... they didn't hurt until you start trying to pry it off and then the little needles start to dig in

Beautiful bird

Feathers on the window

And then when Mike started to put him on the birdhouse, he took off. A happy ending to the story. :) I wonder if he'll remember us. He was terrified at first and then he got a little more comfortable, but I'm sure he'd really rather have nothing to do with us.

By the way, woodpeckers eat magnolia seeds. Ask us how we know. ;)

Gracie is a lot less yellow and has started to spot clean. Mike went after her with the Furminator, which was not her favorite thing. She was conflicted... purring and growling at the same time. She tolerated it and she needed it. She looks strange with bits of her fur still short from the hospital stay. She's eating with gusto and a little bored of the kennel so I've started letting her out for little bits of time to explore but have to keep an eye on her so she doesn't find a hiding spot.