I’m not a bird fan.
Birds always seem to take an active interest in me, might be the giant curly hair, it’s hard to tell, but they like me.
I’m not comfortable with that.
Their unpredictable nature leaves me on edge, and I find myself incapable of handling their seemingly random actions.
Sparrows I can handle, they are small enough.
Eagles are magnificent from a distance, but a raven the size of medium-sized dog is quite another thing.
I’ve returned to Southern Alberta, after a two-year stint North of 60, reporting the news across two territories, with a home base of Yellowknife.
You prepare yourself for the winters, months of darkness, months of sunlight, but the raven, I was unprepared for.
Carrying my groceries back to my hotel room, minding my own business I might add, I felt a lurking sense behind me.
There it was.
Massive with black, gleaming shinny feathers, slowly walking behind me.
I still firmly believe plotting his attack.
It was eyeing my grocery bag, and I was defiant.
“Shoo. Get,” I stomped my foot and demanded, trying not to let him sense my terror, all the while rearranging the bag behind my back.
My demands didn’t phase it, to which it responded with a “Lady, I do this all the time,” stare.
In what felt like hours, our ‘man versus animal’ standoff continued on the main street of Yellowknife.
I tried again, flailing my free arm around like a lunatic.
As a friendly piece of advice from me to you, do not attempt the aforementioned flailing, they don’t like that.
Something to do with being threatened - or something to that effect.
Didn’t know that, wish someone had told me.
Within seconds, it started squawking and flapping its giant condor like wings at me.
I dropped my $40 bag of groceries and ran as fast as I could down the street screaming in absolute terror.
Completely an appropriate reaction, if I do say so myself.
It was a long two years, watching over my shoulder, anticipating a return interaction.
I’m happy to report, that I’ve been in Airdrie for a week, and no birds have tried anything funny.
I like it here already.
I’m lucky enough to join the team with the Airdrie City View and the Rocky View Weekly as the assistant editor, and I look forward to reporting on all the communities has to offer.
In just the past few days, I’ve had the chance to explore the surrounding country side and I’ve already fallen in love with the prairie skies and the good-old-fashioned hospitality.
From local fundraisers to City council and County council, I look forward to hearing from the community, because no one know its issues better than its residents.
With your help, we can maintain a strong journalist presence in our communities and help give a platform and a voice to those that need it the most.
Bringing the local angle and the issues that matter to the public, remain a passion for me.
Please feel free to email or call with your ideas or concerns, and if there are any bird whispers out there, you should probably get in touch as well.
I think this might require a professional’s expertise.
