Bradford Lad: Snow In Eden
Mike Coatesworth and his family feed the wildlife on a snowy morning in their own special Eden.
The weather forecasters were were right for once! When I went to bed it was a warm clear moolit night. This morning, the whole area was completely white. Overnight we were bombarded by a blizzard.
I looked out and saw villagers struggling with their heads bent against the biting cold wind which was hitting them with as much snow as it could whip up. Within seconds they were white from head to toe. They looked like snow people.
Cars moved slowly, their drivers needing all their skill to avoid skidding into the snow-covered stone walls on each side of the road. Patches in those walls reveal where drivers lost control during earlier snow falls.
As I surveyed my snow-filled garden, The branches of its fir trees bending beneath the weight of the white onslaught, there was a sudden frantic rapping at my front door.
Manoeuvring my chair as fast as I could I banged into the wall in my haste to find out why my door knocker needed to be banged so loudly.
When I opened the door I was confronted by two squirrels. One was clinging to the large brass knocker. It leapt into my lap as I sat in my chair. Its mate soon did likewise. The wind had blown down the feeders in the garden. The squirrels could not get at their food.
I gave them a few nuts to be going on with, then shouted to the rest of the family, who quickly got up from their warm beds to undertake a wildlife rescue. Soon, everyone well wrapped up and armed with snow shovels, the drive way and a path at the side of the house were cleared of snow. The feeders were re-erected. The usual feed was placed on them, and, as a special treat, some fruit.
Within seconds the feeders were invaded. Magpies, starlings, sparrows, and other creatures that knew of my sanctuary came from far and wide. The robins, managing to squeeze ahead of their rivals to tuck in to the welcomed and abundant food, were soon whistling a happy tune. Crows perched on the tree branches, waiting their turn. Some time ago they came to an agreement, allowing smaller birds to feed first while they waited their turn. I had explained that if they did not agree to this the the feeders would be moved to a place where the crows could not get at them.
Squirrels were eating at their special feeders, built so that only they can get at the food.
A fox and its cubs devoured portions of chicken. Not realising that the fox would decide to take its family out for a meal, still more chicken was put out for them.
Two hedgehogs also appeared. They should have been asleep, but recent mild weather had awoken. They were soon tucking into dog food.
It was a joy to behold my wildlife friends. Here, they knew they were safe. While they are in my garden, they respect the rules. No animosity. Respect each other's privacy. Don't eat another creature's food.
If only humans would behave in the same way.
* *
If you think my stories are true, then they probably are.
If you think my stories are fiction, then just relax and enjoy them.
Meet Mike and read some great stories
http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/mike.htm
