Circa 11:00 a.m.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Forests
I didn't believe it when my daughter said, "there's a bat."
Practically in the midday sun?
Maybe it was a butterfly.
I turned the corner onto the heavily forested road and saw a bat flutter down and land on the ground. Right there in the grass. Damn. The kid wasn't lying.
"I just saw it land," I said. "That can't be good."
"Why?" my daughter said.
"Because bats are the most common carrier of rabies. And we haven't had our shots."
I had my camera. I debated going for a closer look.
"Go get a picture!" Aine said.
I straightened. Damn, she must really want to collect on that life insurance.
Of course, I went.
Carefully.
(Note, do not try this at home. I'm highly trained in foolishness. Like that time I tried to grab that unidentified, prehistoric fish in the river. But I digress....)
The moment I saw why it landed, the bat (hereinafter referred to as "mom") proceeded to kick into a blazing rendition of Kenny Loggins Danger Zone and pulled some sweet top gun moves on me. Having the presence of mind to get the camera into the fight (after nearly tripping backwards on my butt), I secured the following acrobatics.
Coming around after executing a reverse Immelman:
The dreaded wing-to-face maneuver:
Clearly outmatched, we yielded air superiority to our honorable foe. You see, she had good reason to get all Goose and Maverick on our asses:
This little tyke must have fallen from a nursery in a nearby snag. Mom was trying to calm him or feed him or something. I'm afraid the odds are against him, but we did place a piece of log over him. He's snug in there, and mom can easily crawl under. We'll see. Maybe mom can figure something out.
Peace, brother batbaby. Hope you make it!
22 comments:
FANTASTIC shots, Jason!
What wonderful pictures! Well done you .... and I hope you have now had those shots? Karen x (de-lurking, except for story comps.) (Ahem, when IS the next one due, please Jason?)
ERm, me again. I just found it. Great piccies anyway, Jason!
Aw, poor guy. Mom must have been so worried. But it's always fun to have a bit of adventure! I only hope it ended well for all concerned.
And thanks for putting up that link...there is no angst like Top Gun angst. ;)
Awww. Poor little guy.
I will now have 'Danger Zone' stuck on repeat in the depths of my cranium for the rest of the day. Thanks!
We alo have a few bats in our garden, but never before sunset. Poor little creature...
great shots, jason!
I love bats. (And I'm being serious.)
Unfortunately, my son and I found one in the swimming pool drain... little dude thought he'd go skinny dipping, I guess. Probably an emo bat teen or something...
I hope this little tyke was reunited with mum. :)
Angelique
bwahahahahaha at Aine and the life insurance!
Hope the batling can get home. It reminds me of my favorite Dr. Seuss book - "Are You My Mother?"
Bernita, thanks! I wish I had more time to set up. I might have actually gotten a good exposure/shutter speed.
Karen, that's amazing on your timing! Here you are, properly nudging me for the next contest, and I'm ready to oblige! Great to see you delurking. :)
Sarah, so true about Top Gun. When I was thinking about strategy in going back in, I grasped the dogtags tightly. Goose spoke to me. He's okay, you know. Somewhere in the netherworld, he's okay.
Jaye, I didn't think it looked too good for him, but what do I know? He could be a spunky one.
Beth, you never know what you can do until you get it up as high as you can go, oh. ;)
Szelsofa, it was a good lesson on why standing dead trees are helpful for wildlife. Critters really do live in them.
Anne, the pictures, or the rabies series? ;)
Quoibler, I love seeing bats in the early evening. This was a little too close and personal, though. Two feet from my face is too intimate.
Aerin, when he looked up at me, he said something like, "oh, crap." LOL on the Dr. Seuss book!
I am with the Quoibler on this one. Bats are my favorite animal by far. But they can be a little alarming, nonetheless!
The "oh crap" is perfect, though. I can't help but imagine a nice Disney adventure movie for the little baby bat.
I hope he makes it! I have to think of the Stellaluna story - have you read it to your children?
And I would like to find out more about that unidentified, prehistoric fish in the river...
:-)
Jason, there's an award for you over at my blog.
Vesper, yes, our kids love Stellaluna. They didn't think of it as they stood there worrying about the fate of the little guy. I'll have to remind them of the adventure that may be ahead of him! ;)
Aerin, notice he didn't respond to your comment about me and the life insurance... he's worried... ha! :D
Jason, so Top Gun is on your mind, eh? Riding with you certainly takes my breath away....
Oh, I hope the poor wee thing makes it.
Wow, this is amazing Jason!
I've only seen one bat in my life, it was in a train station (yes) when I worked for ViaRail, many moons ago. There was some yelling going on that morning (from my mouth LOL)
That is amazing that you could take this photos...I also think that bats have rabies maybe it's a preconception and I thought I did not have any (prec...hard word to say) *LOL*
ROFL what awesome shots!!!!! And terrific writing to boot.
I"m keeping a tennis raquet by the bed from now on.
Bekbek, I remember all those films on 35mm they showed in school. The animal adventures. Ah, youth....
Aine, vroom vroom. ;)
Selma, we gave him a nice place to hide.
Geraldine, it's not often to see them so close. We did have some getting into our cabin attic, but caulking took care of that.
Bridget, forehand, backhand. Maybe even an overhead smash. You'll be all set. :)
I'm laughing at you worrying that Aine wants to collect on the insurance!
Fab shots there. I'm going all Footloose here with Danger Zone going through my head. And apparent ly I feel the need, need for speed.
I think we may be showing our age!
Awesome photos!! You go, Aine!! Glad you encouraged Jason to get these shots!
:-)
Cool pictures. I love bats - they are gorgeous and misunderstood creatures.
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