Categories: uncategorized
Date: 15 January 2007 02:51:02
My neighbour from three doors down died tragically last week. He was five years younger than me and a great guy and family man. I knew him fairly well... probably having a good yarn with him 3 or 4 times a year. We moved in our own circle of friends, but we'd always wave to each other while we were in the back yard tending our gardens. I guess I considered he'd always be there.
He loved nature and was very proud of a family of Tawny Frogmouths (an owl type bird) that lived on his 5 acre block. He was often taking visitors for a walk up the bush at the back to see if they could spot the tawnys. These birds are night hunters that have excellent day camoflague and look for all the world like a dead branch.
I think the birds knew he loved them...
One evening last week, I was shutting up my ducks when I heard this unusual (crying) noise up one of my gum trees. I am used to the noises of the two types of possums that clamber around our trees at night, but this was different.
I got a torch and on looking up the tree found the family of Tawnys (4 birds in total) looking at me and making this strange noise. This was most unusual, I'd never seen them here before.
Shivers went up the back of my neck as I knew my neighbour had died the night before and, it's weird but, I felt they'd come to tell me.