bird watching

A Few Moments of Amusement with Wren

Over the winter this was a house for a mouse. I learned that earlier this spring when I dug my hand in to clean out the debris and a mouse scampered up the inside and then down the backside. The mouse froze in place as we made eye-to-eye contact and then I apologized profusely for disturbing his/her home sweet home.

Needless to say, I couldn’t cause any more damage and left the rest of what was still inside of Mouses’ soft and cozy furnishings.

This afternoon when I saw something peek its head out the hole I thought once again that it must be the mouse. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a Wren.

Watching for a few moments I noticed Wren was busy throwing sticks and debris out the hole – one small bit at a time. Was Wren cleaning out what Mouse left behind? Or did Wren over plan and had too many building materials he/she needed to dispose of?

With his/her head cocked to the side in this photo I couldn’t help but think that perhaps Wren was having second thoughts about what just went out the hole. You know how it is – should I or shouldn’t I get rid of that sweater? It goes in the bag for Goodwill, and then later in the day, it gets pulled back out, because you are just not quite ready to depart with it yet.

Whatever the case it was for Wren, it was a few moments of amusement for my mind which I greatly appreciated.

XO,

Barb

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Dreaming of Hummingbirds. Plus Baby Hummingbird Video.

Dreaming of Hummingbirds. Plus Baby Hummingbird Video.

I can’t quite put out my hummingbird feeders and house yet. But hopefully in the next two weeks. According to a search on Google, the Ruby-throat hummingbird typically arrives in Wisconsin by May 1st.

The darling little hand carved hummingbird house in the photo is one I bought in Asheville, NC when we visited there last fall. When John spotted it, I squealed louder than I realized causing the checkout clerks to glance my way.

Every spring when I get to put out my feeders, and now this little house new this year, I can’t help but think if my sweet dog, Frankie. It’s hard to believe it will be five years June 21st, since her passing. And it was ten years ago tomorrow (Easter Sunday) that she became paralyzed…and as many of you know, changed her life, and mine profoundly…and for the better!

A nickname I had for Frankie, of which which she had many, was that I called her my little hummingbird. And so it really was no surprise that two weeks after she passed away that she’d visit me as a hummingbird, fluttering back and forth in front of my face for a few moments while a song that reminded me of her played on the radio as I sat on the deck.

It’s a memory that I cherish so deeply in my heart. And why I love when hummingbird season comes around again. For it’s in those hummingbirds that return for the season that my heart dances with joy for the spirit that Frankie brought to my life.

And maybe, just maybe, a mama hummingbird will feel safe and build a home in the tiny house I bought just like the little ones in this video. I really enjoyed watching this and I thought you might like it, too.

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The Unexpected Visitor

The Unexpected Visitor

Sitting at my desk in my writing cottage I heard the splashing of a bird in the birdbath right outside my screen door. I assumed it was a Robin as they often visit to use the shower facilities at this somewhat secluded location.

But oh! What a delight to see it was an Oriole. At first I thought my eyes were deceiving me as I usually don’t see them this time of year – nor do I put food out for them. But how sweet he stopped by to cool off for a bit and make my day before he flew off again.

I ever-so-slowly grabbed my camera sitting behind me and though this shot is through the screen of the door, I’m happy to have gotten it.  The last sites of summer are to be savored!

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