A Dangerous Roadside Nest
The red pickup truck roared past, throwing a gust of wind that rustled the dry twigs of a makeshift nest.
A blue sedan followed immediately after, its tires humming loudly against the warm asphalt just feet from where the birds huddled. The two white birds, still sporting their soft juvenile down, pressed their bodies close together in the dry grass.
Their webbed feet remained tucked beneath them as they watched the heavy traffic stream by. Every passing vehicle sent a fresh wave of dust and dry leaves swirling over their heads.
The nest itself was little more than a pile of broken branches and dead weeds right on the shoulder of the busy two-lane road. No mother bird was in sight, and the open stretch of highway offered no protection from the elements or the passing traffic. The birds remained still, their small black eyes tracking the vehicles that rushed past.
The Rescue on the Highway
A black SUV slowed down, its brake lights glowing red against the grey sky, and pulled onto the gravel shoulder. The driver’s side door swung open, and a woman wearing a tan utility vest and dark trousers stepped out onto the grass.
She walked with deliberate, quiet steps toward the edge of the ditch where the birds sat. Crouching down, she stretched her arms forward, keeping her hands low to the ground.
The birds did not run or flap their wings as she approached. She slid her hands beneath their plump white bodies, scooping them both up in a single fluid motion.
She held them against her chest, supporting their weight as she turned back toward her vehicle. Walking carefully through the tall grass, she opened the rear door of the SUV.
Inside the car, a thick tan fleece blanket lay folded on the front passenger seat. She gently lowered both birds onto the soft fabric, positioning them side by side. They settled into the blanket immediately, their chests rising and falling as they adjusted to the quiet interior of the vehicle.
A Safe Ride Home
With the car moving down the road, the woman reached into the center console and produced a small plastic cup filled with fresh water. She held the cup steady in front of the birds, keeping her eyes on the road ahead.
The bird closest to her leaned forward, dipping its bright orange beak into the cup and tipping its head back to swallow. The second bird soon followed, taking small sips as the car traveled away from the highway.
They pulled into a paved driveway leading to a suburban house with a neat front lawn. The woman opened her door, gathered both birds back into her arms, and walked toward the backyard.
She used one hand to lift the latch on a tall wooden gate draped in pink roses. She carried them inside the secure yard, where the grass was green and free of traffic.
A New Beginning
Before letting them loose in the yard, she brought them into the kitchen to clean them up. She placed them on a light brown towel on the tiled floor and knelt beside them.
Using a damp white cloth, she wiped the dark road dirt and dust from their orange webbed feet. The birds stood quietly, letting her clean each toe before she gave them a final gentle pat.
Outside on the lawn, she set down a wide ceramic dish piled high with freshly chopped green vegetables. The two birds immediately began pecking at the food, their orange beaks moving rapidly as they ate.
The woman sat nearby in a folding wooden chair, resting her hands in her lap as she watched them enjoy their meal. When one of the birds lost its footing and rolled onto its back in the grass, she reached down and patted its soft white chest.
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