Phalarope Dreaming

Kitchen window. . . loud crash! Bird? Big bird! Feather drifts by. Look over porch railing. Big bird upside down on concrete steps. Knocked out. But beautiful.

Rescue Mission! Too cold there, and cats around. Reach for bird. Little toes grab finger. Slide bird into paper bag. Carry to porch. Hands trembling. Stroke belly with thumb. Slip finger from toes. Leave in paper bag. Go back inside.

Check bird after 20 minutes. Bird freaks. Flies away. But alive!