Meet Emmitt, our new pal at Casa Diane. Some how, he managed to fly to the second story deck yesterday while I was at work, and then injure himself so he couldn't fly away. He came to our attention when he hopped into the kitchen and then scurried back outside.

Apparently, he had hurt one of his wings; he could get a couple feet of height but that was it. He was very quick on his feet, however, so didn't seem to be otherwise ill. In fact, he was quick enough to escape being caught in a towel.

What to do? I closed off the doors to the deck so the dogs wouldn't bug him (or in Hanna's case, eat him), and I put out bird seed and water in low dishes. As night time fell, I wasn't sure if he'd be warm enough, so I put an old t-shirt in the corner. All I could find on the internet was the suggestion to catch injured birds with a towel, then put them in a covered box with airholes and a towel. The plan was to see if he could recover overnight, and if not, another attempt to catch him and release him in the Lantana jungle downstairs where lots of sparrows live, and where he could find shelter until he heals.

But I was pleased to find that he was gone this morning, apparently having healed enough to fly away . . . Emmitt we hardly knew ye!

And the roses are in bloom!