Sunday, December 23, 2012

The innocence of animals

It takes the innocence of animals to restore some measure of sanity amongst the human-inflicted madness that has dominated life recently.

Earlier in the week, we added a 10-week-old kitten to the menagerie. Ever since the kids arrived on the scene, we have always adopted adult cats, but this year we agreed that next time would be a kitten again.

So meet Lucy. I like cats in general, but I do have a soft spot for kittens!

Today we took a drive out to the Wild Arc animal sanctuary with a bird we'd rescued from the cats. Well, actually I think Gypsy rescued it. I heard a scrabbling noise and went to investigate, to find Gypsy climbing the stairs with this bird in her mouth. She dropped it, and it fluttered across the living room floor, where Megan trapped it and kept it safe. It appeared unharmed apart from losing some tail feathers, but it couldn't fly.

It's hard to be certain, but I honestly think Gypsy was carrying it and trying not to harm it. She could have swallowed it in one gulp if she'd wanted to. I also suspect it was brought into the house by one of our old ladies planning to teach the new kitten how to hunt.

On our way back from Wild Arc, we stopped off at Witty's Lagoon to give Gypsy a walk. On the drive, we saw eagles and deer. To top it off, in the sea quite near shore we watched an otter diving for food. This is the first time I've ever had a clear sight of an otter in the wild, and it made my day.

12 comments:

Shell Flower said...

What an awesome day. You guys are really communing with the animals this weekend! Otters are so cute. You are lucky to have seen one. Have fun with the new Christmas kitten!

klahanie said...

Hi Ian,

And hello to Lucy. Another example of the unconditional, non-judgemental love that animals display. They have lessons to teach humanity. If only more would listen.

It seems the intentions for the bird was of a concerned nature. And like you, my friend, I embrace and marvel at the wonders of nature.

May you and all your loved ones, all creatures big and small, have a peaceful, positive Christmas.

In peace and looking rather like a garden gnome, Gary...

bazza said...

Hi Ian
Best wishes for Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) and the New Year from Bazza.
Looking forward to another year of great posts from you.
Barry & Leah x
PS: Animals can cure so much pain, can't they?
Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

Joanne Noragon said...

When all my cats were indoor/outdoor cats, the older ones generally taught the younger ones how to dispatch birds and rodents. Now that I am down to one indoor/outdoor and the new cats are restricted to the house, my old fellow holds the indoor fellows in contempt and has shown them nothing. Indoor mice are toys for indoor cats. We find terrorized mice in the morning, totally able to walk away when we put them outdoors.

Botanist said...

Shell, otters are cute. It's wonderful that we hve so much wildlife nearby here.

Gary, we can indeed learn something from them, though we need to be choosy about what we learn. Nature is appealingly simple and unconditional, but also brutal and uncompromising at times.

Bazza, many thanks, and happy Christmas to you, too.

Joanne, terrorized mice - that made me smile. When our children were babies we often had to evict terrorized mice, shrews, even rabbits, that the old hunters had brought back to share with the new youngsters :)

Torggil said...

I know how you feel. One of our cats gave birth to 6 kittens a few days ago, and I get a sense of wonder everytime I see a kangaroo or two on my driceway.

Danette said...

What a cutie! I love kittehs!

Petronela said...

Magical gentleman from very far away, I wish you happy Holidays and a lovely New Year filled with astonishing, breathtaking new experiences...Kisses to everyone...including Lucy :).

Botanist said...

Torggil, I think everyone should have the chance to see wildlife around them. It's good for the spirit.

Danette, she is as cute as she looks in the photo :)

Unikorna, kisses duly passed on to all concerned :D

Perfume, thanks.

Pearson Report said...

You have to love living on the Island with outings like that!
I love the name Lucy. It is what I call my Wee Dog, Lucky, when I feel particularly mushy. (and Lucifer if I'm not happy with her when she runs through my flower beds)

I'm a pet person and had cats as a child...my first kitty was named Minky...I still can see her today...just like your little Lucy. Thanks for triggering the memory.

And...thanks for stopping by with your well wishes....the journey begins.

Happy New Year, Ian...to you and your family all the best in 2013!
Cheers, Jenny

Jean Davis said...

Cute kitten!

Can't say as I've seen an otter in the wild. That must have been really neat!

Botanist said...

Jenny - Lucy/Lucifer - I like that :) She is very playful and a bit of a devil at times!

Jean, it was a beautiful sight indeed.

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