Territorial

One of the regular encounters of my daily walks with Elo the pup are with catbirds that are nesting in the shrubs along the route. As we come into our territory, the catbird perches above us on a tree branch or utility line, and begins to scold us. When we continue along the road (presumably closer to the nest) the bird will swoop down at Elo, flaring grey and white wings, without actually making contact. Seems to leave me alone.

I am reminded of an ex's outdoor family cat, Loki, who would be periodically dive-bombed by the catbirds in the backyard. Loki, a tiny cat as cats go, would crouch low, occasionally turn on her back a flail her limbs, and my ex's father would watch with great interest and hilarity.

Elo, old, with failing vision and hearing, does not even notice. He's too intent on the one good sense he has, gathering all the smells. In a similar way, all the neighborhood dogs barking when he comes into sight are barely noticed unless he happens to look up or expect them - then his tail rises and he gets a bit animated.

The catbirds aren't the most territorial birds I've encountered. That would go to the red winged blackbirds, which used to nest along the perimeter of a nearby farm / field I used to take Elo to. They'd perch high in a tree, their warning call very noticeable, and they would dive bomb, from a great height, aiming for both my head and Elo's. As they came close, they'd flare their wings (like an airplane lowering the flaps) as a form of air brake, causing a big rush of air - scaring the heck out of Elo and I. I'd note their nesting area, listen for their call, and keep an eye on them.

They made an impression though - I've picked up several pieces of art representing the red winged birds over the years - striking.

I remain enamored with birds. I think because, as the descendants of dinosaurs, they remind me of the resilience of life, especially as we witness the next great extinction, caused by our own species' inability to regulate our own population, consumption, and waste.  When I see a flock of robins in the springtime - walking along the lawn, hunting earthworms, I see carnivorous dinosaurs. When I see flocks of canadian geese, I see groups of herbivor dinosours - gathered along a shoreline eating water plants.