I don't wanna!

  Early this morning while I was trimming the weeds in the Rose/Herb Garden, I heard a weird noise.  Up in the dead Black Gum Tree just feet away from where I stood, Mama Red-bellied Woodpecker was making the strangest noise.  She had taken over the European Starling nest about a month and a half ago and started her own family there.  The starling was ousted from the nest and her eggs devoured by the woodpecker.  For the past week or so, Mama Woodpecker had at least one little one that was demanding her undivided attention.  She and Papa Woodpecker are amazing parents.  They have been making constant flights back and forth to the nest to feed the wee ones. Each time one would alight on the dead tree, I could hear them call to the little ones.  It was a happy sound!  Just knowing life was continuing for the birds made me smile. The parent birds have even taken to raiding the cat's bowl for leftover tidbits.  They are, indeed, brave ones!

  Today, however, the call was different.  It was more urgent and louder.  The parents would stay outside of the nesting hole and call for several minutes before poking their head into the hole to feed the little ones inside.   I stopped my weed-whacking long enough to figure out just what was happening.  Ahh, it must be time for the tots to fly the coop, so to speak.  The little ones, however, had a different idea.  They must not be quite ready to leave the nest because not once did I see even a hint of one nearing the edge of the nesting hole.  The babies were staying snug in the nest.  They did not want to leave home!  They were spoiled by Mama and Papa bringing tasty tidbits to them!  Nope, it wasn't going to happen today!  

  Tomorrow might prove to be the "take flight" day but, try as they might, the parents could not convince their offspring to exit the house on this fine morning.  I suppose I will be greeted at daybreak with another round of pleading from the Red-bellied Woodpecker parents.  "Please, just hop out here if you want this yummy bug! It is so delicious!"......and the little ones will answer "Nope, I don't wanna!"