Tonight I held a baby bat in my hands. No, really, I know what you’re thinking (ewwwww!) but I really did. And it was very cool. Rick and I were out swimming tonight after it was dark by the light of the Tiki torches. We were doing laps in the *almost* 80 F degree pool water (finally!) when I noticed something strange crawling right along the edge of the pool. At first I thought it might be a frog due to its ungainly gait. When I got close I realized it was tiny baby bat!

With our bat population down here in New Jersey by a huge degree due to a fungus that has been affecting our bat population, I was ecstatic to see this little guy! He was insistent upon going into the pool no matter how Rick or I tried to redirect him. He seemed to be unable to fly. Finally I jumped out of the pool, let him climb on my hand, and transported him to the railing where he would at least be safe from puppy-everything-goes-in-my-mouth Bella who was also out with us. He felt strange to my hand. Not like the hummingbird which I held last year; not like a rodent-like creature either. I felt its wings a bit and maybe its feet. I can’t describe him quite. Not creepy though. 

When I put him down on the railing he started crawling along. We weren’t sure if it was hurt and unable to fly, or just too young to fly.

I jumped back in the pool and continued swimming. About ten minutes or so later I decided to get out and see if it was still making its way along the railing. I found it not too far from where I had left it. I spoke softly to it and said something like “are you still here” and with the breath from my voice it spread its tiny wings and flew away.

I can only hope in that instant it finally learned how to fly. Am I just plain weird that I feel quite blessed tonight?

See you next year, little fledgling bat ...