See this little bird with its beak stuffed full of . . . something?
There’s a pair nesting in the barberry bush right beside our deck. I mean, the bush grows over onto one of the chairs, for heaven’s sake. We sit there all the time, have lunch, relax with the dogs. We’ve been very careful not to disturb them, but they seem unperturbed by our comings and goings. When someone is sitting in the chair the birds will go in the “back door” through the maple tree and into the barberry bush. When I took these photos I was watering the flower bed. The bird stopped to check me out, make sure I wasn’t a threat, and when satisfied hopped into the nest to feed two baby birds. She (he?) is surprisingly well camouflaged in the barberry. I wouldn’t have thought.
The nest is too well hidden for me to photograph it, and I wouldn’t want to intrude, anyway. I have peeked in there several times. They see me, but don’t seem to mind. I talk to them sometimes and they listen. Two years in a row they built their nest in an evergreen bush out front, and both years the babies fell out of the nest before they were ready to fly. Mom and dad were very distressed. I couldn’t find the nest to be able to put them back in, and I don’t know if the family would have accepted that. I’m certain the babies perished. I can’t tell you how much that upset me. I think this is more safe on the south side, protected from the wind and the rain as it’s tucked under the eaves next to the house.
Keep your fingers crossed for these sweet, innocent creatures that their family thrives and grows up to build nests of their own someday. They’re such a pleasant and welcome part of the garden.
Oh they are so cute, I have a par that keep coming back into our garage and building a nest in the golfcard glove box ( it has no door). In years past before we had our Beagle Belle they had babys there, I would take the cart up to the mail box and put the trash out, and the babies would just go for a ride with me.... but now that we have Belle they are looing for higher ground for the nest building...
ReplyDeletesuch great pics of the bird, we had bird nests on our hanging plants out front on the porch a couple of years in a row, so when I went to water the plants I had to be very careful, one year we think another bird or cat came and destroyed the nest, it is quite upsetting to know the little ones didn't make it.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, Leslie, and how fun is that! I'm with you - I sure hope the little ones make it this year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post today! I love this little bird and your photos capture nature so beautifully. What kind of bird is that? I love the little markings on its face. Beautiful! I am hoping they all do well.... I get bird nests in my orange tree all the time, so I'm always careful when I pick. Haven't seen any in my lemon or grapefruit trees, but they seem to love the oranges. So do I .. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow delightful! Do they ever use golden hair in their nest, I wonder? You'll have to take a look this winter. Thanks for sharing the story, Leslie. We, too, have a problem with birds nesting "inappropriately" close to the house, or too low. My worry for them primarily is snakes, as tree snakes, while not venomous, do coil around the bushes in search of a place to eat and rest. They often build nests in my potted plants. When the do that on my front porch, I remove the nest because it is not safe for them. It's surprising how quickly the nests are built - in a matter of hours - and what type of goodies are in the nest building! hugs, de
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about being upset when the babies didn't survive. I had robins who built a nest under my porch roof 2 years in a row. The first year, all the eggs hatched & I was thrilled, but the second year I came home to find broken eggs & was heartbroken. I'm sure these precious little ones know that you have a kind heart & mean them no harm. That's why they chose your bush! Even the tiniest animals seem to have that instinctive sense of who means them harm & who doesn't.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird! Male bird's colors are more vibrant than the females (men have to work harder to attack us gals). Love that they feel comfortable around you and the kids!
ReplyDeleteHow cute and sweet. Lucky you to have them nesting in what seems to be a safer spot this year.
ReplyDeletePrecious little creatures. Glad they have a friend in you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos..
ReplyDeleteOh Leslie, we have so much in common. I remember the year when robins laid 4 blue eggs in a plant we hung on a plant hangar on my parent's back patio when I was staying there. I checked on them until they were almost ready to fly and I would water the plant and look at them and those cute little birdies would look at me....and when I took Beau and Beasley out at night I could see the mother's tail hanging over the edge of the pot. They weren't at all scared of me. It was a magical time...until the neighborhood cats found them...I too was soo upset. Bittersweet memories...I will send out good thoughts and energy for your new little birdies and their upbringing. It's so fun and I had no idea it was so dangerous to be a bird.
ReplyDeleteOMG! These pictures are just fantastic!! My husband and I have so many birdhouses in the yard and yet they always manage to nest in our front porch and some perilous places. This year we were prepared and put a small shelf under the old nest for stability and it worked! No one fell out - but we missed them flying solo!! We get such pleasure out of viewing them. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletePrecious photographs!!! So fun that the bird went on to feed its babies after spotting you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these bird pics. They're terrific, and I never tire of nature photos. I know what you mean about not wanting to intrude into the nest to take more pics. I just finished writing a post for later this week, sharing pics of baby bunnies found in my yard...in a potted plant, actually! I didn't want to disturb them too much, because I didn't want the mama to not come back and feed the little ones.
ReplyDeleteAaawwww isn't he or she a cutie?? Dear wee thing. I love birds. I'm so pleased they've built their nest in a more protected spot this year. I get upset when something happens to our baby magpies, very upset. I haven't seen my pair this year and it is definitely nesting time. The pair near the school have been swooping. Lovely photos once again.
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