Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

You are here: Home / Archives for birds

Sunday Snowfall

at by

I’m a little late posting this morning because Don suddenly decided to cook a big breakfast – an omelet and pancakes. (He cooked the same breakfast  yesterday.) Tomorrow, I insist on going back to my normal oatmeal. I love pancakes but I always feel drowsy after consuming them.

He also make a sugar-free apple pie yesterday. I know you’ve asked for the recipe, but he has yet to give it to me. I’ll keep reminding him.

We woke up to snow this morning and I was shocked. Much of it had melted over the past week. At first, I was disappointed, but I soon realized it was a lovely snowfall, gentle and beautiful. And only about an inch fell, so it’s no big deal. We saw a cardinal and several little birds flying around, as well as a squirrel.

While I was sitting in my chair, I heard – loud and clear – the call of a Carolina Wren. Sure enough, he/she was on the porch railing, singing away. Eventually, he flew up to the upper part of the porch where we had to close off the niche openings several years ago. He poked at one of the boards, as if he was looking for a place for a nest. I was telling him to look at the trailer that was used by the wrens last year! See above photo.

Hearing that call made me very happy.

I just tried to upload a little video of his voice, but I couldn’t do it. I’m not sure why…

We have to run to the store this morning – just a quick stop – and then we’ll be doing our respective ‘things’ the rest of the day.

Time to play with my dolls, I think.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Surprise Bloom

at by

Well, look what I saw from the bedroom window yesterday morning! I thought I was seeing things so I went outside to investigate. One lone beautiful bloom – about two months after they normally bloom. The same thing happened last year. I did see another bud but I don’t think I’m going to see a lot of flowers at this time of the year. It’s been fairly warm for October so far, but we can get snow and hard frosts and have.

A nice little anniversary present!

Speaking of our anniversary, thank you for all the lovely comments. We had planned to go to a restaurant in Woodstock that has a beautiful outdoor dining area, but I ended up having to work. So,  Don got Chinese food take-out from a place in a neighboring town which we just learned about. This little area we live in suffers from a lack of good Chinese restaurants, so it’s been ages since we’ve had any – in fact, I think it was several years ago in NYC. Oh, it was good! And we have leftovers, which is always nice.

It was a busy day but we kicked back in the evening with good food and a Nordic Noir series.

Today, tomorrow, and Friday, I coach Ben. The director called me the other day with some things he wanted adjusted – all good ideas – so we’re doing that. I’m in a different world now and I’m aware that in this world, people can get fired at the drop of a hat – unlike theater. There are a lot of people with input; production companies, money people, directors. It’s a bit overwhelming, honestly. And we’ve basically been working in a vacuum up until now, so it’s good to have feedback.

And then there’s the possibility of a strike.

I have to fight the urge to just toss it all and  stay here in my little nest.

New things can be hard.

So, I coach, then I help Don self-tape an audition. That’s our day today.

By the way, yesterday and the day before, there was a sweet Carolina wren singing on our porch, flitting from chair to chair. Right next to the picture window! Maybe one of our wrens was visiting the old home site? It made me very happy.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Fledged

at by

Well, they fledged.

At some point between seeing mama feeding them at 6 am and later in the morning, they left.

And we didn’t see it. Sigh.

Late in the morning, I ran some errands, but Don was back at the house and he said he walked around in the secret garden and stood under the nest. Nothing. No mama immediately chirping. Then, after several minutes, mama appeared and gave some warning cheeps but looked off in a different direction, presumably where the babies were. Then I came home and did the same thing. Very quiet out there until Mama appeared again, giving me a mild warning. I didn’t see the babies, but this area that she chose is perfect for them, lots of undergrowth and trees with low branches. They have cover during the next few days when they generally hang out near the nest. Later in the day, when I went out there a few more times, no appearance by mama.

Boy, do we miss them! We were both feeling blue all afternoon. I’m so used to walking into the kitchen and going directly to the window to watch them. So is Don. We are most definitely suffering from empty nest syndrome.

Bravo to Mama robin, who did it all on her own. All of it. And as Don says, she doesn’t expect any praise or acknowledgement. She just does it. She has been a terrific single parent and now she will teach the babies out in the world.

Sigh. And another sigh. And another, even bigger sigh.

We have been blessed by three different nesting experiences this summer; the Carolina wrens, the robins by the shed, and the robins outside the kitchen window. It’s been a rare and wonderful gift.

Today, I will hang around the cottage, waiting for the FedEx delivery of my laptop. I have to be here to sign for it. So I plan to take care of some chores inside and outside and do a little painting, as I didn’t get around to it yesterday.

Don’s off to get his hair cut and then he’s going to meet up with a friend; outdoors and masked.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives