The "Bird Hotel" Has No Vacancies!

  The arbor around the french doors has a canvas awning cover.  I hang a few potted ferns on either side of the front steps and then always have large plants on stands under the ferns.  Last year, a tiny wren loved the fern so much that she made her nest there twice.  She survived a tropical storm without ever leaving her nest.  I had tied the fern from all sides to keep it from swinging too much so she was safe and sound.  Since then, she has returned to the nest and her broods come to roost on the beams and some nestle down in the fern with her.  The sweet little family is welcome to stay as long as they like, however, this spring, they may have company.

  On the opposite side (about six feet from the fern nest), a pair of doves have taken a liking to the other fern.  Another nest is in the process of being made.  Doves, like wrens, seek out places that are near humans that they trust.  It makes me feel good to know that my critter friends feel safe around me.  I am in hopes that both birds will nest near the door and be at ease with each other.  Both wrens and doves are not overly territorial so it should all work out fine.

  The pair of doves come to the plant stand that now serves as a feeder.  I had taken down the other feeders when the hawk was visiting (but not for sunflower seeds).  Several birds were snatched before I realized what was happening.  The plant stand was beneath the broad leaves of an avocado tree which provided a blind for the songbirds.  Since our hard freeze, the leaves are slowly dropping.  The feeder protection is almost naught now and I noticed the hawk has returned.  Son and I were pondering how to devise another shelter for the birds.  Hopefully, tomorrow will find us with some suitable deterrent.  While I love the hawk, it needs to leave my sweet songbirds and search for a nice fat rat!

The Loving Couple

  For any of you going through life's trials, sometimes it pays to take a look outside.  As Pop used to say, "People could learn a lot from nature if they would only take the time to really study what is going on around them."  Pop was a smart man.  Nature does give life lessons for free on a daily basis.  All that is required is that you show up for class and pay attention.  You won't be tested, you won't be graded and you will not get a "degree" but I guarantee that you will learn a lot.  Personally, I find that a solution of how to handle most "problems" can be handed to me simply by taking a stroll around the hillside.  That "Bayou Magic" always has an answer.

  This morning's sunrise was completely blocked by fog once again.  While most folks fuss about the weather, I find fog to be to my liking.  Of course, if I had to drive in it, my attitude would surely change to where I do NOT like it.  But, I don't so I do...nuff said.  The morning meanderings took me through woods to the swamp.  Even though, I could hear my bird friends, nary a one could be seen through the drippiness of the fog.  It took me to come back between the grape arbor and the greenhouse before any critters consented to be seen.  A pair of mourning doves sat in the black gum tree.  Both were huddled against the pea-soup thick fog.  The male watched my every move while she preened.  He was guarding his ladylove as she flicked droplets of water from her feathers. Their closeness warmed the heart and blocked out the chill that was starting to envelop me.  This is how each loving couple should be.  The male bird is protective of his ladylove and she is steadfast in her devotion to him.  

  Most mourning doves mate for life.  They both make the (weak and wobbly) nest, both brood the eggs and both feed the hatchlings.  The chicks are called squabs and are fed "pigeon's milk" or "crop milk".  Both parents are capable of producing this as it is created in the crop from the digested food of the parents. Even though it is called "milk", it more resembles yellowish cottage cheese. Mourning doves are the epitome of how a family should be.  They start as a loving couple, raise their broods and remain a loving couple!  Folks, if there is any question, this is how it should be!

Hungry Visitors!

Finally the sun paid me a visit andwarmed my weary bones. I get so antsy being stuck inside when the weather insists on being contrary..I want to be outside! As soon as I saw Mr. Sun, I knew that I would be out in the gardens. There is always so much that needs to be done to prepare the plots for the Spring planting. I was told that I was rushing things a bit and perhaps I am, but I pulled the old mulch out from under the rose bushes. After a good helping of fertilizer, fresh mulch was hauled from the pile and scattered around the base of each bush. While all this was being done, some visitors stopped in for lunch! Three Doves, a Brown Thrasher and our ever-friendly Mockingbird worked the mulch beside me. I expected the Mockingbird since this one has no fear of me what-so-ever and the Doves were not a big surprise but the Thrasher is a skittish bird of sorts. It usually prefers to keep a healthy distance and will only enter the garden when there are no human monsters lurking near. Needless to say, I was elated! My new-found friend busily bobbed up and down in the mulch, pecking up any bug in sight. I loved to watch it tilt its head to one side then the other as it searched for insects..I suspect it was listening as well as looking for lunch. The Brown Thrasher is sometimes mistakenly called the "Brown Thrush". This is a combination of the names of two distinct birds..the Brown Thrasher and the Wood Thrush. While the Wood Thrush is also brown, it a much smaller bird. They stay more in the woods and rarely make a visit to the yard. My Brown Thrasher continued to work the garden while I was there and even let me get several nice pictures before heading back to the grape arbor.

An egret paid a visit to the shallows by the pier to get its lunch, also. I am always amazed at how white these birds are and how clean they can remain even when mucking around in the mud. This bayou mud can stick to anything and will stain anything..but not the egrets! Even its reflection in the water gleamed snowy white! The bull minnows in the tidepool were fair game, today! Lunch was easy to come by for this lucky egret!