Looking up at the ‘back forty.’ It is an absolutely gorgeous morning. Don ran up to the store and while he was gone I went outside to take some pictures. Everything is so beautiful. Wildflowers everywhere, birds singing – my heart was full.
To top it all off, as I was walking around getting closer to the shed, I saw two little birds near one of the shed windows – the one where Don has tucked the “Cottage Pl.” sign. They flew away suddenly and it dawned on me that they have a nest tucked behind the sign. Sure enough, as I peeked behind the sign (couldn’t see much) I noticed the signs of a nest and a Carolina wren perched in the catalpa tree started warning me.
I quickly moved away, but he kept warning going until I was back at the house.
Then, I watched mom and dad constantly flying to and fro – they definitely have babies and they’re feeding them. They fly in under the sign and then pop out at the top to make sure everything is safe before they go back out in search of food.
Somewhat blurry, but you can see one of the parents on top of the sign.
Oh, this makes me so happy! They may not have chosen the bird house, but they did choose the next available structure.
We didn’t notice the nest because Don’s car blocks that view. We were in and out of the shed several times yesterday, as Don mowed the paths in the woods and I mowed the lilac side of the lawn and the corral. And I mowed right by their nest.
Such a wonderful thing to see this morning.
It always seems strange to say “Happy” Memorial Day because the reason for this holiday is to honor those who have died while serving this country. So I won’t.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
what a sweet surprise! glad you know the wrens’ secret and can both watch them and watch out for them.
the back forty is beautiful! even though you enjoy mowing, i’m glad that task is done for now. how long does it take to mow everything? and you use a manual lawnmower, right? kudos …
with thanks to those who serve(d) and sacrifice(d) and a peaceful memorial day to everyone.
kathy
It takes a few days.
We use a push lawnmower but it’s powered by gasoline. It’s the best exercise!
Stay safe, Kathy.
Love your back forty photo. It’s beautiful. What a lovely surprise to find the wren nest with it’s precious little family. Peace to everyone on Memorial Day. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you Elaine.
Stay safe.
Your property is so overall beautiful; all that green. And to be able to witness this interesting bird activity is so soul-filling. Thanks for sharing the sweet story.
I just love the color of your shed, like a wonderfully-weathered barn out on a farm.
Our good husbands, Claudia. I wasn’t feeling up to doing the cemetery thing, so my husband purchased the flowers and decorated the three graves of our veterans for me, just yesterday afternoon. I thought it was very thoughtful of him; he knew it was important to me.
Yes, I fly the flag today in tribute to our ‘lost’ but the holiday is as sobering as our dark-gray-dreary overcast; the weather here as I’ve said too many times now is very foggy in coastal Southern California for a lot of weeks now. At the end of the Sunday Morning show on CBS News yesterday, they did their ‘quiet’ ending piece, usually which showcases wildlife and natural sounds, of the beaches at Normandy; all you could hear was the wind. I couldn’t bear to think of what my uncle saw on D-Day and tears sprang to my eyes for him and all those soldiers. Think too of the French citizens who lived there and had to endure that battle on their soil and in their towns.
Thank you, Vicki.
Stay safe.
I know what you mean about using the word ‘happy’ with Memorial Day. I started to write that to a friend this morning, but it felt so wrong….so just said I was putting the flag out to honor Memorial Day.
Your picture of your garden is so peaceful with all the greenery…and the little wren on the cottage sign is so cute! Both photos are great…frame-worthy!
Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Lovely story and photo! I always sort of cringe inside when I hear “‘Happy Memorial Day”. A book that I am loving: Still Life by Sarah Winman. Also,Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus..
People seem to confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. I see so many posts talking about the face that fathers and sons (who didn’t die) served in the Armed forces. That’s for Veteran’s Day. Sigh.
Stay safe, Annette.
So pleased that you have another bird family to look after! My daughter found a nest while watering our huge pot with its tangle of daffodil leaves. We’re leaving that pot alone for now in case it’s a live nest. Nothing was in it but there have been more birds than usual flying around.
Have a reflective Memorial Day, Claudia.
You’re wise to leave it alone just in case, Wendy.
Stay safe.
We’ve got bluebirds nesting again in their box. The pair raised a brood in March and are back again with a second brood. We love watching all the activity and put out meal worms for them which they love. As I’m typing this a scarlet tanager is bathing in the birdbath!! I know exactly the joy you feel from nature, I feel it too!! It’s the best feeling! Take care, Jen
Oh, how lovely! Enjoy your bluebirds and the scarlet tanager!
Stay safe, Jen.
Such a wonderful surprise! I can tell by the bird sounds in the early evening that there’s lots of nests in the trees around us. After all these years, they count on the feeders in the backyard and that’s when I get to see them. This year we have so many Goldfinches. I think they’re my favorites.
Take care,
K.
Same here. The bird sounds last night were intense!
I just saw a goldfinch yesterday, flitting around, looking for food on the ground. And they always come to the birdbath.
Stay safe, Kay.
What a lovely treat! Spring is such a joyous time with all the songbirds in full throat.
Yesterday I saw our first hummingbird of the season and immediately whipped up a batch of nectar and hung out the feeder. Hurray!
Oh, lovely! I’m so glad you saw a hummingbird. We have them here, but I think it’s too early for an appearance.
Stay safe, Roxie.
Three of my birdhouses have nests. Several already have babies who cry and holler as soon as one of their parents land with their food. When they fly away, all is quiet again til the next load is brought in for their dining pleasure.
Our High School Music Dept has a fund-raiser every year for flags. We get one on Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. $40.00 for the flags, I love waking up in the morning and seeing it placed at the end of our sidewalk!!
We have been enjoying some very lovely weather here for about a week, But have not had any rain since the beginning of the month. Hope there is some soon. We are watering daily. Hope you had a good day and will sleep well tonight. Take care.
We haven’t had any rain in a long time, Chris. I’m already worried about drought this summer. Last week, we were supposed to get some and just like last summer, the rain fell all around us but not a drop here.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! I’m still here. I love your photos lately. So much green, my favorite color. Where have I been? It has just been a little crazy around here.
People dying, which I know is a part of life, but I hate it! So enough already, I don’t want to hear anymore. I am going for a second opinion on my rotator cuff tear. It is my right shoulder so it is not fun to have to use my left arm for everything. It is painful! My other project is reorganizing my office/craft room. I can’t decide if it needs paint or not. Hard to do when I don’t have a functioning right arm! I am going to my sister Pam’s tonight for a staycation. She only lives 2 blocks away but sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Then we go for brunch in the morning. It is nice to spend some alone time together. Hello to everyone who I have missed lately. I need to get caught up. Claudia, enjoy your birds and butterflies. Isn’t it funny how simple things can make us the happiest? Miss you! Deb
I’m so sorry about your rotator cuff injury, Deb! I hope it heals quickly. Glad you’re going to take some time for yourself at your sister’s house. We miss you, too!
Stay safe.