Saturday encore ~ Walter Pigeon makes a wrong turn over Arizona

One year ago, a pigeon came into my life, if only briefly. It was a magical moment in 7MSN Ranch history 

and one I will fondly remember for many years to come. I'll use the next couple of Saturday Encores

to re-live the story for those who might have missed it the first time around.

***

 

Alan: Mom, there's a pigeon in our yard.

Me: That can't be a pigeon. What would a pigeon be doing way out here?

Alan: Beats the hell out of me.

We first noticed the pigeon Sunday morning. Didn't give it too much thought at the time. He walked around the corral 

for awhile, flew off, and that was that. But then he showed up again a few hours later...and a few hours after that. 

When he showed up again Monday morning, I deemed his appearance blog-worthy and started taking pictures.

I was surprised by how close I could get to him. Then one time I got too close...

...and he took off. I figured I'd never see him again and so much for that blog post.

I downloaded the pictures anyway and gasped when I realized what I had been missing because
I can't wear my glasses when I'm taking pictures. Scroll up two photos. Do you see it?

Now do you see it? My pigeon was wearing an ID bracelet! I rushed back outside to see if I could find him. And there he was in the barn.

Maybe I could get some close-ups of the leg band... maybe I could find out who he belonged to...

 

...maybe I would fall in love with a pigeon. Isn't he gorgeous? 

Who knew pigeons had perfectly shaped hearts above their beaks?

Already Lucy is jealous.

So umpteen photos later, taken at every possible angle, I was able to piece together all the writing on Walter's leg band.
It was a 13-digit code that included the letters "AU."
A little sleuthing on Google, one e-mail and a phone call later, I was talking to Walter's owner.  
 

Walter's owner races pigeons. He released Walter in Globe, Arizona (Point A below) on Saturday.
Walter was supposed to fly 75 miles home to Safford, Arizona (Point B below).
Walter made a wrong turn.

How or why a navigationally challenged racing pigeon ended up at the 7MSN will remain a mystery.

Walter's owner is baffled by his pigeon's behavior. Apparently it's been a strange year for pigeons. 

This is the first time he's had one fly so far off course. He thinks his pigeon might fly home to Arizona once it eats and rests for awhile.

He also told me that Walter is a hen. I've since named her Amelia.

Amelia is now roosting above the feed room in the barn. I've told her owner that I would call him 

if she leaves so he can be on the lookout for her, but I'm hoping she'll decide to stay. 

She's got food, water, lots of company, and 15 minutes of fame on a blog. What more could a pigeon want?