birds — Page 41

Sadness and Anger

May 10, 2017 at 8:42 am by Claudia

I’m just throwing this in the post to have a photo and not just text.

I’m sad today. And frightened. And angry. These emotions are a response to two entirely different occurrences.

First, I was outside yesterday, mowing and doing yard work (too much of course) and I decided to check on the nest. What I saw was heartbreaking. One unhatched egg remained. Along with what were clearly some baby birds, but to be frank, all I could make out was a mass of fluff and part of a beak. It was as if they had been smashed.

Hoping against hope, I watched to see if they were breathing. But they weren’t. And I waited on the porch to see if mama or papa would visit the nest. No visit. The last time I saw the five eggs was last Wednesday or Thursday when I was mowing before it rained. Mama flew out of the nest when I passed by and I saw the eggs.

I have no idea what happened in the meantime. Was it a predator? Another bird? Was it the deluge that fell over the weekend – was it too much for them? Was it the cold? Was there something wrong with them causing the parents to abandon them?

So sad and so heartbreaking. I’ve left the nest alone. But it drew me back at least three times yesterday as I tried to figure it out and as I said a prayer for the babies.

Second – the firing of the Director of the FBI, James Comey. Despite the spin put on it, it’s abundantly clear that he was fired because he is investigating Trump/Russia. Trump is obstructing a Federal Investigation, enabled by Jeff Sessions who is recused from anything to do with Russia and Rod Rosenstein, whose claim of impartiality in his hearing is now laughable.

Our democracy, our republic, is in danger. Grave danger. This was the act of a dictator, a Fascist, a banana republic. In less than four months, he has taken everything we hold dear and desecrated it.

I woke up before 5 am this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. I’m feeling about as frightened as I can be about the state of our country.

I’ll be back with something cheerier tomorrow. I debated whether I should tell you about the baby birds, but you were a part of the discovery of the nest and the eggs and I thought you’d want to know.

Say some prayers for our country. Take action.

Happy Wednesday.

Birds, Bunnies & Little Z

May 6, 2017 at 9:00 am by Claudia

I’m doing my best not to be daunted by a weather forecast that shows no sunny days until May 16th. Ahem. That’s ten days from now. And our temps look to be in the fifties, which is cooler than normal at this time of year.

Ah well. What can you do? Absolutely nothing.

Rain all day yesterday and more headed our way today. I’m hoping I can find a pocket of dry weather because I have to load up the car to recycle today.

I know. My life is very exciting.

This morning:

Right outside the living room window.

When he turned in this direction and proceeded to head into the big garden bed, the front door was opened and a voice said “Ummm….No.” And he obligingly took off. I don’t kid myself, though. Someone, who shall be nameless as he could be any one of a number of bunnies, ate my hyacinth flowers and chomped on a day lily.

There are plenty of weeds, my friend. Please limit your dining to them.

Outside the kitchen window:

A tiny sparrow.

A tiny female goldfinch.

And her flashier partner, the male.

All three of them were dining on dandelions.

Be my guest!

Don has had to grow his hair long for this role he’s playing. He sent me a selfie the other day and I nearly gasped. Wow. It’s long. In fact, when he face-timed with Little Z the other day, Z said, “What happened to your hair?”

Yep, Little Z, it’s a bit too long for my taste, but the actor’s life involves sacrifices. (I think Don is actually enjoying it.) I had a long conversation with my little nephew last night. He was unusually chatty and made me laugh out loud several times. I love that boy.

Well, off to tackle exciting things like recycling (aka going to the former dump which is now called the Transfer Station) and running to the grocery store.

Happy Saturday.

A Discovery in the Boxwood

April 30, 2017 at 9:53 am by Claudia

On Friday, I was doing something or other near one of the boxwoods and I heard a frantic flapping of wings. I thought that there must have been a bird on the bush, startled by my sudden presence.

Yesterday, I was weeding and, at one point, ended up in the same area. Again, the frantic movement of a bird. Curious, I walked over to the boxwood, looked down, and saw this:

I gasped. Luckily, I had my iPhone in my back pocket, so I quickly took some pictures.

If that isn’t one of the most beautiful sights one can see, I don’t know what is. A miracle, tucked down inside a boxwood.

I was filled with wonder at this beauty, this perfectly made nest with five blue eggs.

After I tended to some other things, I carefully and quietly walked toward the boxwood (but stayed far away enough that I figured all would be well) and again, Mama flew off. Since I had been planning to mow the front yard, I decided I should get on it right away, starting with the area of grass right in front of the boxwoods that are at the front of the house. I had scared Mama enough and I wanted to mow while she was still watching from the neighboring maple tree so that she could relax for the rest of the day.

Since this is right in front of the porch, I will have to be very careful. Later in the day, I was sitting on the glider, not making a sound, when Mama started screeching at me. Oh boy. I got the message and went inside.

I don’t want to get too involved with watching the eggs hatch. I did that years ago while working on a job in Wisconsin (the nest was right outside my door) and I was stressed the whole time. I worry too much.

I also put together one of the Adirondack chairs.

It took me a long time and it wasn’t easy. It’s really a two person job, and since there’s just me, myself, and I, many curse words were uttered. Interestingly this didn’t seem to bother the nesting robin (I put it together on the porch). By the time I finished, my hands were sore! Still are.

I imagine the second one will be less problematic.

I’m thinking I’ll paint them as the natural wood is very light in color and I don’t really want to go the stain route.

And I’m thinking that this color (used on the mini adirondacks in Don’s studio) would be perfect. (Note that there just happen to be mini boxwoods in this photo.)

I asked Don whether we should go with white or this green and he enthusiastically went for the green. There you go.

A splash of color in the midst of all the weathered teak will be perfect.

Today, a trip to the store for some supplies. Tomorrow, I’ll buy mulch and potting soil and I’ll soak my morning glory seeds and get ready to plant them this week.

Happy Sunday.

Sadness and Anger

Birds, Bunnies & Little Z

A Discovery in the Boxwood

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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