One tough bird!

  Just a week ago, I would not have given two cents of a chance to live for the injured heron.  The bird was just in that bad of shape.  Not only was its foot nearly severed at the ankle, it was necrotic.  I was afraid that infection had set in and it was going to spread throughout the bird's body.  The wounds on its breast and under the wings were still open and bloody.  My friend looked weak.  By the looks of the bird, it had not eaten in quite some time.  This injured bird had been refused by the wildlife rescue as "too hard to catch" and deemed unworthy of their efforts because "there are a lot of herons."  To me, the loss of one is far too many.  I like the herons.

  Now, though, things have changed for the better.  All of the folks who live near me have kind hearts, obviously.  The bird is being fed at each house it visits and is given refuge wherever it wishes to spend the night.  Not one person has complained about the bird staying overnight on their porch or pier.  We have all come to view the bird as "our bird". No, we are not caging, confining or otherwise constraining the bird.  It is free to come and go as it pleases.  Yes, we do feed it fish, shrimp and anything else it wishes to eat.  We do this not because we want to keep it as a pet but rather that we wish it to have a life.  This bird is important.

  When on the pier this afternoon, catching mullet for our friend (Skipper-hopper as named by Elizabeth and Robbie!), I noticed a big difference in the health of the heron.  It was no longer emaciated and, although it still favored the foot, it seemed much stronger.  I believe the bird will survive and thrive as long as it has friends and I am positive the friends are here to stay.

  As for the bird being difficult to catch.....hogwash!  I am not skilled in such areas as grabbing a huge bird but, hey, it does come right up to get mullet from my hand.  Anyone who is supposed to be trained should not find it an unattainable task to nab the bird.  I think the tall, gawky bird lost out to some cute little squirrel by the rescue team. Furry animals are cuter and will draw more donations whereas a "dime a dozen", run-of-the-mill heron just takes up time.  All I can say is, those folks don't know what they are missing by not befriending this bird!  It is such a sweetie!  Hang in there, Skipper-hopper!