Timothy Titmouse: A Portrait in Courage

Two of the major water venues here at the Wildwood Pavilion of the Alternate Olympic Games have been closed due to severe water shortages in the Northern California. With the fountain pumps turned off the ponds had to be emptied when mosquito larvae were found on the surface of the standing water. With the water turned off, the remaining events for the skimmers and skaters had to be cancelled. One birdbath is being kept open for health and safety reasons, so the bird bathing competition may be able to continue.

With things winding down here, this reporter has decided to turn the spotlight on a contestant who didn't appear on the podium  but is much loved for his stamina, persistence and courage (not to mention the fact that he is adorable). Timothy Titmouse came to my attention a couple of weeks ago when I first photographed him. His parents had neglected him and he may have jumped out of his nest because of the heat before his wings were fully developed. He managed to survive on the ground somehow until his mature wing shafts  developed and he could fly. He is completely self taught and extremely cautious, but despite his limitations, he has entered the AOG in order to bring attention to the problem of nest abandonment. He came in last in the seed eating contest because he flew off after capturing a single seed from the feeder and looked around nervously from a nearby branch before cracking his prize and eating it immediately. Only then did he fly back to the arena for another seed. HIs persistence allowed him to finish the competition, and only later was it discovered that he was bringing seeds to his teammate, Jerry Junco* who was disqualified for a uniform infraction. He will participate in the closing ceremonies as the only athlete representing his species.

It is to be hoped that perhaps the contestants will stop attacking and eating each other and follow the example of Timothy Titmouse who turned his unfortunate upbringing into a heartwarming story. He couldn't be found for a comment after the competition. However, he is very young and I think we can expect to see much more of this young fellow in future.

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