Captured: By Mother Nature

There's a bird by my window. Soon there will be more. I've been trying to figure out how to tell this story in as few words and pictures as possible. For about a week before Memorial Day week-end, I'd been noticing a little more bird noise when I'd leave the house or come back in. We have a large pot with a trellis and vines in it right by the front door. A lot of mornings, one or both of us will sit out there and have our first cup of coffee. There had been a mockingbird hovering around the vine, and I'd seen him fly off with a twig in his mouth several times. I had told Hub that somewhere he was building a nest. Well, it took me about a week to realize he was not taking materials from there, but delivering them TO there. When I turned the pot, I discovered a NEST, right at the back of the trellis. So, Hub and I had this discussion about "should we move the nest, get rid of it, etc." We've been through this nest above door thing before. One year we couldn't even go out our back door the entire summer without getting attacked, because there were baby birds up above the porch light.

I got online and started doing research about birds and nests, etc. I've loved watching the birds for years, but really hadn't read a lot about their habits. So anyhow, it seems in most species, Papa bird builds several nests and Mama chooses the one that meets with her approval. For some reasons, she chose this one. Does not seem like a wise choice, since it is only about 6 feet off the ground, but what do I know. So I thought about it for a day or two..maybe she could just choose another nest. Then around Memorial Day, Hub comes in and says, OOPS...too late. There was an egg in the nest. The next day there were two, then there were three. The 3rd one looks a bit deformed, I told Hub that it's probably from "stress" on Mama.

So now we have a family in a high traffic area that will soon be attacking us or anyone who comes to the front door. The UPS guy and the FEDEX gal have already gotten a talking to by Mama Bird, and the eggs haven't hatched. She gets interrupted a lot, flys off to watch from a nearby tree, then comes right back.

I watched through the window and the screen for several days, but decided I wanted a better view, so I removed the screen, washed the window and now I have taken most of the photos from inside the house. I had to fix a small area so she wouldn't see my reflection or the camera. Hubby and I check out the peep-hole every night before we go to bed, and every morning. Can't sit on the front porch for now, but enjoying watching thru the window. We can go in and out through the garage and she stays put but sometimes the car door slamming will scare her off.

I'm wondering if we should wheel the entire pot down to the end of the porch. She'd have more privacy and maybe the comings and goings wouldn't scare her off so much. I'd love to see the baby birds and watch while they fly, but I don't want to get pecked on the head in order to do it.

For now, here is the story in photos. They are clickable to enlarge.


Vine by the front door.


Bird with building materials



Through the window screen


Bird at fountain


First notice of nest.


Mama just before she flew.


Sitting on the eggs.


Beautiful eggs. Notice the piece of blue string along the side of nest?


Screeching at the gardener.

Cocooning at Home

Yesterday at breakfast, Hubster announced he was taking me out to lunch and to a matinee. My first reaction was reluctance, as I have been perfectly content to just stay at home of late. Only going out for the necessary supplies and errands. For some reason I have been leaning towards staying home snuggled up, drinking tea or coffee, having soup and bread for lunch or dinner. I've been sorting art supplies, but not really making any art. Cleaning out drawers and rearranging things. Just fluffing my nest I guess. My life has become really simple and I have been enjoying it a great deal, but I feel I could go overboard and become a real recluse if not careful. Perhaps I am shutting out reality and am in denial. I have found myself avoiding some of the important things that probably should be done, but I feel certain they will get done in good time.

So,anyhow, we went out to lunch and to the movies. Hubster said how could I turn down a chance to see the love of my life on the big screen. Soooo...off we went. We mostly watch movies at home, not at the theatre often. It was a good movie, and RDJ was at his best as he always is. The only problem I have with movies lately, is they all seem so visually dark and I have a hard time seeing what is going on. This was no different. The thing I like about the theatre we go to is we always go to the early show, and we wait till the movie has been out for awhile. There are usually only 6 to 8 people in the theatre, sometimes fewer, so it feels like a private showing. Yes, I am certain that most people who wanted to see this movie did so on opening day, but I decided against that, because I don't like crowded theatres with germs flying about. I wonder if getting more cautious is just a part of old age creeping in?

RDJ is such a good actor, that I will go to see him in any movie he makes. He's pretty darn cute too!