Whap!

It's still quite cool here in Milwaukee, especially near Lake Michigan. The sun may be shining, but step outside and a cool breeze bites. Someone said there is still ice out in the Lake….therefore any wind blowing in from the southeast is going to be a cold wind.  But I bundle up and Fenway and I go for our morning walk anyway. As we approach the lakefront we see others out walking/jogging….some people with dogs, some without. Many are happily following "our" pathway…..so we continue.

All along the bluff at the Lake redwing blackbirds are busy building nests and laying their eggs. They chose trees and bushes growing on the hillside that drops away from the walking path. As we begin to go by they call….and call….and whistle….and watch us very carefully. They don't seem to be bothered by the others walking along, but they certainly watch us very closely.

Then, suddenly today, whap - one flies off the tree branch and smacks me right in the back of the head. And let me tell you, even though this is not a very large bird, you know it when they hit you in the head. I guess he/she thought we were just somehow a threat and coming too close to the nest.

This happened to me about this time of year last spring - so now I've learned my lesson.

I'm no dummy. Tomorrow, when we walk, we will be on the other side of the street and I am wearing a hat.