My very good friend Lou came to visit this weekend, and as we were walking around the farmyard this morning we found a young and seemingly quite friendly magpie perched on a piece of old machinery. I dashed off to get my camera, thinking it would make a good photo for my blog. When I ran back with my phone and a handy bowl of fat I'd found in the kitchen, the magpie was actually following Lou down the yard! He seemed to have a penchant for her wellies. I have honestly never been so full of glee in my life.
I promptly named him Magnus fed him bits of fat and barley. He even climbed up onto my back and perched on my shoulder!
All of a sudden, Magnus flew off over the barn roof and headed back towards the trees where we'd found him. I was bereft. My dreams of taking him with me to book signings were at an end.
Until, a short while later, as we were walking in a nearby field, he appeared again! I really was beside myself with glee. I started cawing to him, hoping that I sounded friendly. Slowly, we walked him back across the fields towards the house.
...which Lou filmed! It's a bit blustery so you can't hear me reading very well, but Magnus definitely enjoyed it, especially the buttons. Here's the video!
Here I am wearing my most amazed expression. On the third reading he flew off and I haven't seen him since, but I'm going to try and find him again in the morning.
I'll upload more photos to my facebook page now! I still can't believe that of ALL the animals in the entire world, it was a tame magpie that found me! How amazing is that? Also, of all the people in the world, Lou is definitely the one I would choose to accompany me on such an expedition! A coincidence of fantastical proportions! I apologise for the profusion of exclamation marks but I am genuinely bursting with delight! Seven hours later.
Thank you HUGELY to Lou for following me around for ages taking photos and filming the great wild magpie chase.
22 comments:
How amazing! Really made me smile :) it looks like he's enjoying the book!
That's *so* awesome!!!
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I am so, so, so happy I was part of this and able to record it for posterity! Magnus is awesome (as long as he doesn't fly into my face!! teehee) - I am sure he will be back again soon. It was a most marvellous morning indeed. xxxx
It was incredibly exciting. I mean, I would have been excited if I hadn't written a book about a magpie, but the fact that I have makes it absolutely-utterly-incredibly-astronomically BRILLIANT!
This is just wonderful. What a magical thing to happen.
absolutely amazing! what a coincidence, or not?
he seemed so keen on turning the pages that made him look almost impatient! :D lovely moments!
xxx
That is so amazing, Kate! Thanks for all the lovely pictures! I really love your book and "Magnus" did well to like it too :-)!
Oh my god, that's cosmic!
Gosh, how extraordinary! What a beautiful thing to happen...
I do hope a polar bear turns up on my morning walk and stays to read my book!
That is quite something...I have always been fascinated by Magpies. Thank you for sharing Kate.
Teehee! Fantastic! I hope that happens with some of my book characters (except...monsters or something...) x
What a great story and what a great experience that must have been! Enjoyed reading it very much!
thats amazing!
Sarah x
ahhh, amazing! I love the expression on your face in the last picture, utter astonishment!!
Thanks everyone! It was rather fantastic - especially when he tried to turn the pages! x
WOW! no wonder you were tickled pink! Very cool indeed!
simply amazing!!
wow!! that is actually amazing!!
Ah, this is just magical! Especially the video :)
Hehe, that's incredible!! You live on a farm?
I'm glad everyone thinks this was as exciting as I did! Christiane - yep, I'm living back at home at the moment (a break from hectic London life) and my Dad is a farmer! :)
Wow! this just can't be a coincidence
:D
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