When I was a little girl, my Sweet Pea used to tell me that all I had to do to catch a bird was sprinkle salt on its tail. I thought that maybe the salt on the tail would keep it from flying. I spent hours in her yard with her saltshaker, running after birds. I don't know when I realized that technically, if you could get close enough to sprinkle salt, you would be close enough to catch it. Or when I realized that it was a fabulous way to keep a child busy.
I thought of her today when I was close enough to sprinkle salt on this little bird's tail.
Mama and Daddy cardinal were trying hard to encourage their baby to fly. As much as I wanted to scoop this fuzzy baby up and help out, I left it alone like I knew I should. Even so, it was fun to get close enough.
No salt needed, Sweet Pea!