Flower Lady

Why a picture of a bird then? you ask. Because while I'm trying to become the flower lady, wounded birds show up. I'm working on my flower beds whenever I can. Working on this.

And this.

I'm interested in wildflowers, mostly. And I'm digging out a huge new bed to be filled with things like whorled milkweed, bee balm, fleabane, yarrow, and ferns. It'll be a companion to last year's bed of native wildflowers. 

But I also want the old-timey midwestern classics that my dad grew. Hollyhocks, irises, zinnias. 

And my new project is a border of big hostas--so I don't look like a all non-natives are invasive and ruining the planet fanatic. Moderation. I'm seeking balance. And butterflies like some non-native plants too. Butterflies are the goal.

I'm focused. I go out in the morning and stay out until it's too hot or I run out of energy....

Or.... a bird shows up. Last week it was this guy.

I love birds. But I suck at dealing with hurt birds. Hurt anything, actually. Honestly, I usually make things worse. 

A neighbor came over to help with the hawk seconds after I posted it on our block What's App. We called the Raptor Center, and then she went to pick up a friend who volunteers there. Meanwhile another neighbor said to throw a towel over it and put it in a box and take it there. You go right ahead, I thought.

I'm gonna keep doing what I'm doing. Because flowers are more durable than birds, and I'm not afraid I'm going to hurt them. Well, I am, actually. But mostly, I'm pretty good with flowers.

Anyway, the crow. 

I posted about it on the neighborhood Buy Nothing group, asking for help. You can't buy or sell a crow on Buy Nothing, but you can ask for help. Someone called me right away. Put a laundry basket over it, she said, and I'll be right over. I don't have a laundry basket, which might seem weird, but I don't. We put our laundry in  tall waste baskets because it takes up less space in our tiny closets. So we stood guard, watching for feral cats until she pulled up a few minutes later. 

Here is how you put an injured crow in a box: You put the box over the crow, then you slip a piece of separate cardboard under the box and the crow and lift the whole business into the hatch of your SUV. We cut some air holes in it, and then off she went, this person, while I filled out the wildlife rescue pre-admit form on my phone and made a donation.

Later she called me. I was already familiar with this article. Apparently it's a real thing. If more crows come around, the vet said, give them treats. Try to get on their good side...in case they were watching while their friend got put in a box. 

So am I a good bird lady or a bad bird lady? We'll find out, I guess. Before the crow got put in a box, I offered it water. In a china sauce dish, no less. And a little ball of watermelon. Fancy, right? I hope that saves me from the wrath of crows.