THE STORY OF THE BIRDS

Do you see the arborvitae to the left of the lion fountain? This spring a pair of slate colored juncos have made a nest in it. For weeks I have watched them fly in and out first taking building materials for their nest and lately bringing bugs in to their babies. They have gotten used to me sitting outside on the swing and have quizzically looked at me while landing almost at my feet and flying around the courtyard. It didn’t disturb them much unless I happened too close to the tree where their babies were hidden. But last night we decided to eat alfresco and while we were sitting at the outdoor table we heard a commotion around the planter only to discover that a baby bird had fallen or jumped out of the nest. He was quite a good size and ready for the big adventure of the world but didn’t quite know what to do surrounded by brick and stone. He flopped around trying to fly but his wings weren’t strong enough yet. Meanwhile mommy and daddy were quite anxious flying quickly back and forth with encouraging cries. We tried to stay away and let their natural instincts solve the problem and eventually mommy lured baby across the breezeway by holding a bug in her beak and into the safety of the yard.  All this made for a delightful comedy for us. 

   This had followed another bird incident earlier yesterday. A pair of robins have made a nest in the climbing hydrangea that covers the garage wall. Mom has come back to the same nest for four years now because it is protected from the rain by the overhand and gutters. We’ve been watching her fly in and out and after finding a half of a blue broken egg on the ground knew that she was now feeding her babies. She didn’t mind us being out either but really squawked and fly away whenever I walked near her nest. But yesterday when I was near it must have frightened the two baby robins who jumped and flew out of the nest along with the mom. They were large enough to flop along the ground and quickly they disappeared behind the house. 

     I loved watching this spring ritual and finding peace in the simplicity of nature. I will miss them now that they are off on their own. Usually Mrs. Robin comes back later to the nest for another round of babies so I will be looking forward to that.