Magpie Madness

Yep tis the season, for all you Aussies at least. Time to don the ice cream tub hat, walk around carrying sticks, stick springy things on your bike helmet, and generally duck!!!!!.

For those of you who don't know what a magpie is here's a pic.

As you can see it is a vicious man eating, flying beast that strikes fear in the heart of every man and woman in Australia. Every spring they emerge from hibernation and begin breeding. They then defend their nests from such nasties as the inappropriately dressed jogger (lets face it he's asking to be attacked).

Or they'll swoop on the unsuspecting cyclist.

She never saw danger coming, shaking head in grief.

I remember as a kid walking home from the bus stop, and hearing the familiar thump thump thump and someone shouting DUCK!!! Of course it wasn't a duck, it was a magpie swooping down on an unprotected head. For years we'd either run down the road, or carry a stick to wave above our heads. Now I've got my license I just drive down the road, they can't get me now LOL. At this time of year you see lots of sticks being waved in the air, don't think they are threatening you, they are just trying to ward off an attack. Of course if your some pervert peeping in a window and it's nightime, then yeh the person waving the stick may be threatening you, but face it, your a perv you deserve it. 

The threat of magpies, and they have hurt people before, has led to crazy inventions such as below. 

This one is actually my favourite cause apparently if your looking at the magpie they won't attack. If you don't have this helmet then the tree you walk into while looking up at the magpie will probably do more damage than the magpie. If you don't want to go to any expense, then grab a stick or an ice cream tub (make sure you consume the ice cream first), draw eyes on the back and top of the tub and fool those crazy magpies. 

I usually know the season has started not by getting attacked myself but by noticing a walkers misfortune as I drive past well protected. Regardless of how horrible it is to be swooped on I always find myself smiling at their misfortune. Sure hope karma doesn't get me for that. 

Remember the magpie is only protecting its nest, they don't really hate you, so don't get all paranoid and think the world is out to get you. Although come to think of it maybe the world is out to get you, but the magpies of this world aren't. 

Catch yas 

Cathy