Feeling Right At Home

  A lot can happen in just a few days.  Outside chores kept me from doing much in the greenhouse other than giving the plants a drink.  That changed this afternoon and I had about an hour to play in my favorite place. I repotted a few of the herbs, snipped back some of the old leaves and then settled in to watch a few of the critters that have made their homes among the plants.  Several large green anoles and one redheaded skink were having territorial spats on the philodendron while a green tree frog took a snooze on the watering can spout.  Then I heard the fluttering of the wren's wings.  Well, now!  I am sure glad that I waited to water the plants!

  The little wren had been on her nest in the hanging ivy basket the whole time I was working just inches away from her.  This is the same wren that has nested in the greenhouse for the past few years.  She has grown accustomed to my presence and does not even try to "escape".  We are friends.  She lets me check on the progress of her eggs and little ones and I try to help in small ways.  A saucer of fresh water was put on the shelf for her pleasure and the door will remain shut so she does not have to fret over predators.  We made sure to leave her a small opening near the roof so she can enter when she pleases. The greenhouse is the perfect place for her to raise her brood.  After she left, I checked her nest to find that she has been busy, indeed!  Five speckled eggs were in the nest.  Mama Wren will be in the greenhouse more often now so I have to remember not to startle her.  Watering the ivy will have to be scant.  There is no reason to soak the nest and Mama!

  It is times like this that I wish the grandlittles could be on the Bayou. There are so many things that could be learned first hand and so many memories that could be made.  That is not to happen, though, so I will have to document the process in photographs and share those with the kiddos.  All things happen for a reason, I suppose.  In the meantime, I am sure glad Mama Wren is back with me.