Magpie Armageddon

I don't know anything about where you live, but here in my own backyard there has been a slow and gradual influx of magpies, the scavenger birds related to crows and ravens. Not Heckyl & Jeckyl, these pests have started to gather in large gangs, smoking cigarettes and swinging belt chains.

If I look out my rear window right now, there's at least 10 or more, striking fear into all the other wildlife in the area. They've actually chased a wild jackrabbit away, swooping down at the poor little fella until he moved along.

Yesterday, one was tearing apart a neighbour's lawn chair, probably trying to leave a message of some sort. "You've got till Tuesday, buddy - then...it's curtains!!"

They even look like little thugs, with their chests sticking out, and those cold, gleamy eyes unblinking. The one with the Cher tattoo creeps me out the most, but I suspect he could be leading a double life to fit in with the rest of his pals...

To bad it's illegal to discharge a BB gun in our development, otherwise I might consider pruning the membership, so to speak.

I'll admit, I have a feeling that could backfire on me, literally. I wouldn't want to ruffle those aggressive feathers any more than I have to...

Later!!