Dragonflies and bats

[ostarella]

Tonight at work was total boredom for the first half, total chaos for the second. My feet feel like hot coals from all the running around I was doing. But I have to smile, too.

During the slow part of the night, I was standing by the window, staring out at the early evening (and quite sure I was meant to be out in it) when I heard a whirring noise inches from my head. Lo and behold - a dragonfly, trying desperately to get through the window. Well, I'm a sucker for things like that. I had to find a box - ended up cutting a box top in two to make one - and then I had to catch the dragonfly. Ever try to do that? Dragonflies are quick - especially when they're terrified. Of course, from a distance, you can hardly see them - so I'm quite sure the other people around thought I was either totally bonkers or trying out some new dance steps out of boredom. Finally, I just put my finger down in front of him and he crawled right on board. I closed the box around my hand and very carefully slid it out - forcing him off and into the box. Then I hurried across the shipping area for the door - everyone asking what I'd caught. You wouldn't believe how many people (big strapping men types, too) wanted to make sure I was going to let it go outside. One guy hurried ahead of me to open the doors so I wouldn't lose my precious cargo. And there were a lot of faces plastered to the windows as I finally set our little guest free.

When I worked in the warehouse, we used to have a lot of unexpected guests flying in through the open cargo doors. The lead and I were leaving bread and water on top of the fridge in the lunch area for a small starling that just could not find its way out. We "caught" each other one day - and both felt very foolish. But we kept doing it. And of course, we had bats all over. They'd get confused with all the lights and electronics down there, so it made it relatively easy to catch them and take them outside. Of course, we always had to stop at the lead's office first - she was scared to death of bats. So we'd take the box in, opening it just enough for their little claws or nose to poke out and then listen to her screech. Yes, we were mean...

Anyway, just another little thing that made me smile, and hopefully something I can draw on when other things get to be a bit too much...

Comments

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

I have to save Bees (and butterflies)... if they come into our conservatory. Years ago, when I was living at home, my dad always used to leave the front door open and I walked past the bathroom and I noticed a black looking thing on the floor... but knew it wasn't a spider (I didn't have my glasses on so had to fetch those) to see it was a grasshopper (His big sticking up back legs, told me he wasn't a spider... amazing how I noticed his shape was different so he couldn't be a spider at first glance - that's good for me with no glasses on). Had to save that too... freaked me a bit when he jumped! If it had been a spider... my slipper would have been on it :-O I just can't rescue spiders!!!

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on that - spiders are dead meat! :p

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

ah good - I'm not the only one then :D

[mossy62.livejournal.com]

No, you're not, I'm the same. I can watch spiders outside with big interest, but in the house it's them or me. No slipper though, not on the big ones, too messy. Rather a glass and a sheet of paper. But I have to admit it's usually hubby who takes them out, and he just loves to wave his hand, which holds the spider, under my nose and hear me scream *blush*

But your story with the dragonfly and the bats, ostarella - that could have been me. If I would ever get a chance to see a real bat, I never have.

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

Picture a brown mouse with wings and a very ugly mouth - vicious looking for bug eaters ;-)

[beckyblack]

Did you see that story about the family whose dad seems to have inadvertently brought home a camel spider from Afghanistan - where he'd been stationed in the Army? They've fled the house until it's captured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/7585391.stm

Who can blame them? The BBC illustrates the story with a picture of a camel spider attacking a scorpion! That's one badass spider! No slipper for that one, a flamethrower maybe.

I love the quote at the end of the article:
"They identified the spider using the internet," she said.
Presumably it was trying to find cheap flights to Kabul, so it can go back home and beat up some more scorpions.

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

That's just horrible...

I think spiders are the reason I'm really not fussed in going to Australia.

[beckyblack]

Remember what Karen said about the outback, "spiders that can kill you just by looking at you." ;-)

[beckyblack]

You were so channelling Murdock with that dragonfly. You should put it in a story.

Aw, bats. I love bats. :) Fascinating little beasts.

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

You should put it in a story.

I just may do that - Tess, perhaps... ;-)