Feathery Freeloader!

It amazes me that so far from land we can be boarded by some cute little exhausted birdies! One rainy day in Ìn Newfoundland, a little sparrow landed on Voyageur`s deck then crawled behind our helmsperson to stay out of the wind till his wings dried. Once drier and stronger, he would fly short distances on board and finally; strong enough, he flew away!
This little fellow joined us on our way up York River. He stayed with us for half an hour hopping around the deck and lifelines till he finally got the strength to fly away. That evening at anchor we identified him with the help of our Audubon Society's" Birds of the North America " book. He is a crimson crown kinglet, olive green with a crimson tuft that is only visible when he is aroused or (in this guy`s case...cold and fearful!)