Once again, Spring is officially Here.

[badgerpup]

This year, the Rite Of Spring* was performed by young D'Artagnan as the Celebrant. The sacrifice was a male starling in his breeding plumage.

Courting feathers on this bird appear understated and dark from a distance, but are rather handsome up close, what with the purple-violet irridescent head, and the golden speckles on his back...

Yeah, I got a rather good look during the process of getting it away from him and putting it OUTSIDE for him for continuation of the er...ritual. D'Artagnan wasn't too happy about this...even growled at me for trying to take his 'toy' away. I made my voice all happy and told him what a fine, mighty hunter he was, but (altogether, gang) WHAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE, STAYS OUTSIDE.

* The Rite of Spring, (at least at chez badgerpup) consists of the first incident of the year when one of the cats brings its prey inside to either play with or consume.
Frankly, I prefer it when they've killed it before bringing it in...much easier to deal with because then I don't have to chase the poor terrified critter down...with the cat's 'assistance' (see the Wimsey's sparrow and Finnegan's snake posts several pages back). :hide::yoiks: