Hello,

I was interested to read of Blair Bernson's efforts to photograph a
flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets. Quite a challenge! This reminded me of
my very close encounter with a kinglet a couple of weeks ago, which
would have provided a fine close-up photo opp but not a very artistic
composition.

I glanced out the slider door of my office, and on the small concrete
patio outside was a stunned GCKI, crouched on her feet, beak open. Birds
occasionally strike the bedroom window on the floor above; I've taken
their sad little bodies out to the tall grass in the alley, and I've
rescued and sheltered half a dozen that recovered and flew off:
chickadees, siskins, and even a young Hairy Woodpecker. But on this day
I had to leave the house for an appointment, so I couldn't bring the
bird inside in a closed bag for a recovery period and release her when
she got active again.

It was a chilly, breezy but dry day. So I got the usual small paper bag
with a soft dish towel folded in layers, then carefully picked up the
kinglet in the towel and tucked her into the bag, forming a cozy cave
from which she could see out and eventually fly with ease, if she
survived. I always feel compelled to talk to the stunned bird in a
soothing, apologetic voice (if you do this too, you know what I mean). I
faced the bag opening away from the wind and weighted the bottom end
with a brick. And left this little shelter on the patio, hoping for the
best.

When I returned home hours later, the bag was just where I'd left it,
but no kinglet and no signs of any predator disturbance. I'm trusting
that she recovered and flew off.

She was also our first GCKI of the year for the yard list.

Good luck with the photos, Blair!

Kristi Hein
Anacortes

khc
at
picturesandwords.com