Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Fledged

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I have a gift: Right after I discover baby birds in nests, they fledge the next day. Is it me? It happened with the robins and it happened yesterday with the Carolina wrens. If you remember, in yesterday’s post I wrote that they were very busy flying back and forth to the nest, feeding the babies. But now I think they were urging the babies to take off. Later in the morning, I went outside to water the pots and seeds. Don’s car was gone so I could see the nesting area pretty clearly. No activity. I waited a while, then I tested it and walked to the ramp leading to the shed. Nothing. I went inside the shed. The nest was behind the Cottage sign on the window box, right outside the window. I walked toward that window and saw the nest. Empty.

There’s the sign and there’s the nest. Keep in mind that it’s much smaller than it appears in this photo. But there’s the little hole in the nest where the babies were.

Sob. I’m a little depressed.

I almost went in the shed the day before yesterday to peek at the babies, but for whatever reason, I didn’t.

Godspeed, little ones. Enjoy the world.

Ella.

One of my Elly Griffith books is waiting for me at the library. The other, which is the one I need to read first, hasn’t arrived yet. Hope it comes in today.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Birds, Wildflowers, Butterflies

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My favorite time of year; when wildflowers are everywhere. In this case, Dame’s Rocket, also known as wild phlox, which is all over the place – the secret garden, alongside the garden beds, on the edge of the woods (as in the above photo) and in the woods. This period doesn’t last long, but I try to take as many photos as possible. This is the border of the woods that is right next to the main path.

I actually worked on Memorial Day. I had a coaching session with someone. A longtime friend of mine (who I coached years ago in the National Tour of Oklahoma) recommended me. So we worked a bit on a British dialect for an audition she has on Wednesday. So I spent a bit of the day in prep, and then we had the session.

It was a gorgeous day yesterday, but quite hot. I just read in the NY Times that this summer is supposed to be hotter than usual – especially out here in the northeast. Sigh. It’s already been very dry here. We really need some rain. Last summer we battled drought, so it makes one wonder – more of that this summer? I hope not.

In the meantime, I saw a goldfinch yesterday and, for the second time, an eastern swallowtail (butterfly.) The swallowtail was beautiful. I saw the mama and papa Carolina wrens chase off a larger bird that was hanging around. I just now glanced outside – I can see their nest from here –  and both parents are busy feeding the babies. And it’s intense; constant flying in and out of the nest. Those babies must be quite hungry this morning.

We watched a series – on HBO Max – about an infamous cult that was based in Albany – just an hour north of us. It was call NXIVM – pronounced Nexium. The name of the series is The Vow. I’m fascinated by cults and always have been. People got sucked into it thinking it would help them be better people. I won’t share the sickening details, but the cult leader is now in prison with a 120 year sentence. I have many adjectives on the tip of my tongue to describe him, but evil and vile will do for now. All of this was going on while we lived here and we were sort of oblivious, though I do remember reading about them when sentences were announced because one of the enablers – charged with sex trafficking – was an actress years ago on the series Smallville, so the press jumped on that. I still can’t get the whole thing out of my mind.

We’re now watching a two-part documentary on George Carlin.

I finished the Elly Griffiths and I’m trying to read something really short while waiting for her final two books in this series to arrive at my local library. And, of course, I’m reading a chapter a day of War and Peace. We will reach the midway point of this readalong on June 1st.

Okay. I’m also starting a new puzzle – another Renoir painting – but this one is darkish in color so it will be a challenge.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

 

A Little Surprise

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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.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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