All is Well

   How the Little Bayou House is situated, it is backed by a rather shabbily wooded area.  By shabbily, I am referring to the fact that the trees have been hurricane ravaged so much in the past years that there are mostly low-growing shrubs with very few tall "canopy" trees.  Probably on the whole of the back five acres, there may be a good fifty full sized trees.  The rest are thick bushes that only reach maybe twenty feet in height.  Through the midst of this, the tiny creek flows until it spills into the back part of the Bayou.  I leave the area wild and woolly simply to provide some shelter for the critters.  With everything around us sold and being developed, this is the only place where the critters can live free and happy.  I am good with it. There also is a lovely canebrake between the wooded area and the house.  This canebrake also provides shelter for critters.  You never know what you might find in there!

  With the woods and the canebrake being on the north side of the Little Bayou House, it is a welcome shelter for us, as well.  The dense growth of both shields us from the bitter north wind during winter.  It is there, that I can meander about without being chilled to the bone.  It is, also, there that I find my critter friends doing the same.  A good many will hunker down in the thickets to be protected from the icy winds.  

  It was on the hike this morning that I found the male Northern Cardinal in the canebrake.  His lovely wife was tucked in the midst of the brake but he was keeping watch from the edge.  Their soft chirps to each other called my attention to the male.  As I eased my way near the cane, the chirps took on a different tone as he told her to sit tight for possible danger approaches.  He never wavered from his post even though my path went directly below him.  Once he realized that I was not there to do harm, his chirps reverted back to the calming, soft whispers.  "It is all ok.  Stay put.  She will not hurt us.  All is well."  His ladylove stayed snug in her sheltered spot and he continued his watch just as I continued my way down the path. 

  I am glad the birds and other critters have a "safe place" from all of the craziness of this old world.  I am also glad that they realize I am a friend and not a predator.  The Little Bayou Kingdom is safe and sound.  All is well.

Very Special Surprise

   In one section of the Small Gardens, there are quite a few rose bushes.  Even though the arbors have gone the wayside due to hurricanes, the roses have made a comeback and are doing well.  One, which was Grandmother's Rose, has outdone itself with blooms.  Granddad rooted this rose for me many years ago and he was the one that dubbed it "Grandmother's Rose". The name stuck and I will never think of it as anything but.   Grandmother always loved her flowers but never worked in the gardens.  Her "work" consisted of taking her little snips, cotton gloves and flower basket out to clip a few blooms to bring indoors.  Still, they were Grandmother's gardens.  When I stepped outside today, I was tickled to see so many blooms on the bush.  I tried counting but somehow got lost after a hundred!  Grandmother's Rose!

   There is something very endearing about that rose bush this year.  Right smack dab in the middle of the bush is a bird nest with several baby cardinals in it.  Mama Cardinal is mighty tolerant of me wandering about the gardens as I work.  Sometimes, I am only inches away from her nest but she never makes a fuss.  While it is not unusual to have a cardinal nesting in the Small Gardens, I find it heartwarming to know she chose this particular rose bush.  Northern Cardinals were Grandmother's favorite bird.  How appropriate that Mama Cardinal chose Grandmother's Rose as her home!  Maybe it was just meant to be,

  

Waiting for the call

   Early this morning, I found it strange that most of the birds were not around when I put out the birdseed.  Usually, as soon as I open the door, I am literally accosted by birds!  They want their breakfast immediately and will fuss at me if it is not readily available.  This morning, however, it was quiet.  I knew that the hawk must be somewhere in the vicinity.   Even though I looked, I never found our predator.  Shrugging it off, I poured out the birdseed and turned to set the container on the steps.  It was then that I heard a fluttering of wings and looked up to see a female cardinal on a dead branch above my head.  

  Well, hello!  It surprised me to see the female.  She has been working on her nest and usually waits until the male cardinal calls her.  (This is the second nesting female in the yard.  The first has 4 eggs but this one is still building.)  The little bird looked at me for the longest time and never went to the seed.  She, too, felt something was very wrong about the morning.  I sat on the steps watching.  After about ten minutes, the male cardinal flew in and started calling.  The female flew down to greet him and they both filled their tummies.  

  Then it was back to work for the two of them and for me.  They are busy building a fine nest in Grandmother's rose bush about 6 ft from the wren that is on the nest in the potted rose.  Thankfully, there are no squabbles!  As for me?  I cranked the lawnmower and cut for the rest of the morning satisfied that my friends were ok.

Lessons From A Cardinal

   Early this morning, I was greeted by the same male cardinal that comes every morning.  The bird seems to wait for me to bring out the birdseed before calling to its mate.  For the past month or so, the cardinal would even call to me if I was late with his breakfast.  Always as soon was the seed was scattered, he called for his ladylove.  She would come and they would dine together.

  For the past two days, she has not come.  In fact, his calling has even gotten less.  I worried at first then I realized that she is nesting and cannot come.  I decided to watch his actions.  The lovely bird flew down to the seed before I even had the lid back on the bucket.  He was highly anxious to get to the seeds before the other birds.  I watched as he picked up a few seeds, cracked and ate them.  Then, he picked up a seed, cracked it and flew off to the camellia bush with it.  It was only a few moments before he was back and repeated the process.  Ahh, Daddy Cardinals are the best!  He was actually taking seeds back to Mama Cardinal on the nest!  The sweet deed was repeated for quite some time.  

  I was astounded by this act of caring in the critter world.  If a mere bird can be so considerate, so loving and so generous, why can't people?  The more I watch the critters, the less I care to associate with most people.  Perhaps a cardinal could give life lessons to us all.

Friend Cardinal

  If you listen to others, there are signs all about us that heighten our spiritual awareness.  These things can be found in everything from a falling feather to an animal that comes to visit unexpectedly.  I am good with that.   There are signs that we should notice and heed.  Then, there are those that we should ignore.  I pick and choose which I want to bring meaning to the day.

  This morning while out working the vegetable garden, a bright red cardinal came to visit.  This normally skittish bird had no qualms of being within a few feet of me while I worked.  (When it came time for me to get the camera, the bird scooted up to a low hanging hickory branch and sat "hiding" behind twigs.)  As I planted yet more peas and put in a row of lettuce, the cardinal would flit from one fence to the next.  It was watching my every move and I soon became quite accustomed to hearing the flutter of wings just above my head.

  There are those that say a visiting cardinal is carrying a message from those from our past.  In times of trouble or illness, a male cardinal symbolizes hope for renewal and well-being.  Through all of the woes, we should be persistent.  As the cardinal kept its watch over me, I pondered the thoughts of signs and meanings.  Maybe this is one I should grasp.  Renewal and well-being would be a rather nice change of events for me.  I will take it.  I will take it.

On His Own

   Well, it was bound to happen and now it has.  It is time to buck up to the times and get on with life.  Well, at least, the little bird needs to go about his business of being a bird.  The little cardinal that was coming to the feeders with Mom and Dad Cardinal has now been officially booted from the nest.  He is on his own and will have to start "adulting" if he is going to make it.  Mom and Dad are not going to be there for handouts any longer.  The little fellow was taught where to find food and water and how to find shelter.  It is up to him.

  In the avian world, life can be tough on little ones.  Once the parent birds have taught their brood the basics of survival, they literally give them the boot.  In fact, this being a young male, he will most likely be chased from the territory eventually.  Right now, he is chased from the feeders if the adults wish to eat.  Life is not easy for fledglings that are accustomed to being fed or, at least, led to food.  Once parent birds are ready to nest again, the fledglings are out!

  This little one has learned its lessons well.  He comes to the birdseed and, more oft than not, feeds below the plants.  He knows that the local hawk could easily swoop down and grasp him.  Hopefully, that will not be the case and this little cutie can grow to be a handsome red fellow like his dad!  Good luck, Little One!

Not Today, Buddy!

  Physical therapy in the gardens has to be the best way.  Strengthening those muscles along with fresh air cannot be wrong.  Plus, I get to watch the critters that visit.  Early this morning, I was captivated by a grasshopper, of all things.  While I hoisted weights, the grasshopper basked in the sunshine.  The grasshopper seemed to not have a care in the world and, for a while, I agreed with him.  As far as I could see, the critter was enjoying life to its fullest but that changed within a snap.  Danger lurked in the mimosa tree!  The grasshopper was unaware that he was in a predator's sight.  He lingered on unaware.

 A flash of red told me that my friend, the cardinal, was searching for breakfast.  Each morning, I set out seed for the family of cardinals.  The male always comes first to make sure it is safe before calling his family in to feast.  This morning, however, the cardinal had his eye on the grasshopper!  I was torn between letting the bird catch the insect or helping the bug escape.  Either way, there would be a loser.  Was it to be the bird's breakfast or the bug's life.  Nature will be nature so I refrained from scooting the grasshopper under the ginger plants.  We would just have to see how this played out if I was to be neutral.  "Let nature take its course" has always been a difficult task for me to follow but...I lifted weights and watched.  The drama that was to be never unfolded.  The bird was distracted by another male cardinal and they went chasing each other in a territorial battle.  The grasshopper was safe for the time being.

  It has long been thought by most folks that Northern Cardinals only eat seeds.  Their thick bills do lend themselves to cracking the shells but about 30% of their diet is made up of insects.  They will often take moths, katydids, flies, spiders and, yes, grasshoppers as tasty treats.  In fact, the parent birds feed their nestlings on mostly a diet of insects. So, had it not been distracted, the cardinal would have made short work of my grasshopper friend!

  

Morning Wakeup Call

  Even though I awake before dawn, I now have my own personal alarm clock!  Each and every morning for the past month, a beautiful male Northern Cardinal worms his way out of the jasmine vine where he and Mrs. Cardinal spend the cool nights and sits upon the fence.  He begins a sort of high-pitched squeaking call which echoes throughout the room even though he is a good twenty feet from the window.  Since I know he will be calling, it has become my habit to sit nearby just to hear him.  This is my wake up call!  In fact, I do believe he fully has that in mind.

  Since mid-December, it has been my habit to step outside and put a bit of birdseed out for my fine feathered friends.  I figure food may be getting a tad scarce so giving a helping hand seems to be in order.  This was always done as I headed out the door for my morning hike about the place.  The birds have gotten accustomed to having breakfast served just a few feet from their nightly roosting spot  and now fret if I am a bit late.  

  I have been putting the seeds directly on a low table but that is all about to change.  This morning, there was a feral cat hiding just a few feet away under the front steps.  That rascal was eyeing up my birds!  I shooed it away but it kept returning.  I had no choice but to sit outside in the icy north wind to keep it at bay. Son promised he would build a bird feeder and put it up out of the cat's reach.  Perhaps my sweet friends will be safe, then.  

A Cardinal Came To Visit

  Early this morning, I took the old dog out for his morning exercise.  He was moving slowly....even more slowly than usual.  His energy seemed sorely lacking and his movements appeared to ail him.  The cool front that dropped our temperatures some 20 degrees during the night may be the culprit.  He has arthritis pretty heavily which makes walking rather painful at times.  Since our hike was progressing at a snail's pace (if even that), I had plenty of time to check around for anything worth photographing.  About half way down the hill, our hike came to an abrupt halt.  Mr. PJ had enough of the walking and sat down to rest his weary bones.  He did not want to move no matter how hard I tried to cajole him.  We could go no further.  We could not go back.  He sat.  Well, it was best to let him sit so I meandered a bit always staying with in his line of vision.

  Alongside of the path, there is a couple of dead trees.  It was on one of these dead limbs that a cardinal suddenly popped in to visit.  The bird seemingly was trying to get my attention.  It flitted about the tree just a few feet from me then came to rest in full view. The bird started making a light chipping sound all the while keeping a steady gaze at me.  I talked with the bird as if it could fully understand what I was saying.  By the head tilts and intermittent silences, maybe it did.  After about ten minutes of our visit, the bird broke out into full song.  Wow!  I felt honored.

  It is often said that when a cardinal appears to be trying to garner your attention, it has a message from beyond.  It seems that the name "cardinal" comes from the Latin word "cardo" which translates to hinge.  If you use your imagination here, you can see where this all got started.  A door has hinges so the bird is passing through the door between Heaven and Earth as it carries messages.  Sometimes, we need that assurance that our loved ones are still there...still watching over us.  The myths and legends about the cardinal all deal with good health, happy relationships, renewal of spirit and protection.  Since the bird is hard to miss with its bright color and happy song, it is easy to see why folks want it to be associated with someone they have loved...and still love.  I wonder who came to visit me today???  There are so many that I would love to visit again. 

Keep Singing, Mr. Cardinal!

  It often makes me ponder when I observe things on my hikes about the hillside.  It matters not if I see something beautiful, unusual or even mundane.  I still ponder the being of things.  This morning, a bright red cardinal sat in the gum tree just above my head.  The bird was singing such a lovely tune that I had to stop and listen for a good ten minutes.  Below him in the underbrush, his ladylove was busy scratching the ground.  From his perch, the male cardinal kept a close watch on her, on me and any predators that may be nearby.  His song, while sweet, seemed to me to be a distraction.  It was called for my ears to keep me from venturing too close to his wife.  Had I proceeded on my hike and neared the female, his song would have changed to a call of urgency.  She would have been warned of the nearing danger.  That did not happen, however, since I was content to watch him.

  The  thoughts that crossed my mind while observing the cardinal ranged from everything of how he protected her to how folks are more familiar with the male cardinal than most other birds. However, other than recognizing the bird, folks rarely know anything about the cardinals.  Because of his brilliant red feathers, this bird is a favorite subject for Christmas cards, figurines and paintings. Some folks, however, have no idea what the female looks like.  Her colors pale in comparison to his but it is for good reason. She cannot be easily spotted while nesting with her muted colors. Also, not many know that the cardinals are monogamous...at least for the season.  While the male is very attentive of his ladylove during the mating season and will often stay with her through the winter, he may choose a new mate during the next spring depending on her ability to raise a successful brood.  Another little known fact is that both the male and female sing.  While his song is more of a territorial thing, hers is usually a "bring me food because I am hungry" notice...and he, more oft than not, complies.  

  My cardinal was doing his best to let his ladylove gather her breakfast without worry.  His song did what he intended for it to do as it distracted my attention from her and brought it to him.  Pretty fellow, you needn't have worried. I would never harm you or you sweet wifey.

Bayou Life Ain't for the Weak!

  The Bayou and its surrounding area is full of interesting things.  Well, at least they are interesting to me.  Most folks would most likely not be traipsing about the muck and mire to examine an egg on the ground or brave tick and mosquito bites to check on the welfare of a bird's nest.  I do.  I have no problem battling the elements, so to speak, just to keep an eye on my critters.  This afternoon, several things caught my attention. First, Friend Owl was indeed back to harass the songbirds.  If he keeps this up, his name might change to something less sweet.  As I pushed aside the Sweetspire branches, he turned toward me then made a hasty retreat deeper into the palmettos.  I was not giving chase as something else needed investigating.  A bright white egg could be seen under the branches of the Mimosa Tree.  Uh, oh.  I knew that a Mourning Dove had nested near there.  Sure enough, both eggs were missing from the nest but only one was on the ground.  The shell had been cracked in two places and had scratches from sharp teeth on the sides.  This was not the work of the baby dove and I have a sneaky feeling that the owl was not the culprit here. He would have just downed the egg and not bothered cracking it.  This seemed to be the work of a squirrel.  Poor songbirds just cannot catch a break here.

  While I was at the water's edge, a female cardinal swooped down just a few feet from me.  Her nest was in the grapevines that twined around a dead Bay Tree right next to the Sweetspire.  As I watched, she doused herself in the shallows of the brackish water.  This far back in the Bayou, the water changes from salty to brackish making it a bit safer for her to be drinking.  This time, however, she was not drinking but soaking her feathers.  After just a few minutes, she flew back to her nest to settle  in on the eggs.  Her actions reminded me of something that Pop would do back on the farm.  We had a large incubator that would hatch up to a hundred eggs at a time.  Each day, Pop would show me how to moisten the eggs with a sprinkle of water and then turn the eggs end to end.  According to him, this was to assure that they hatched.  "Mama Hen would do the same.  She turns her eggs regularly and will get her feathers wet to moisten the eggs."  Mama Cardinal knew just what she was doing!

  During Mama Cardinal's brief escapade to the watering hole, Papa Cardinal kept a strict watch on the nest.  If she had been gone longer, he would have nestled down on the eggs but since it was a warm day and her absence was but a few minutes, he knew the eggs were fine.  He just had to protect them from any intruders that might wish to dine upon eggs. Neither bird minded my presence which might be merely because the predators were leery and not ready to raid the nest while I was there. I do worry about the baby cardinals once they hatch as so many critters have spotted the nest already. Life on the Bayou is hard.  Not all survive. Stay safe, Cardinal Family, stay safe.

My Morning Wake-up Call

  Early this morning, I was pondering what was on the agenda for the day when I heard a happy sound just outside the living-room window.  The sound was telling me that it was to be a wonderful day!  "Cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer!"  Yep, those early morning greeters were telling me that it was to be a cheery day!  A pair of Northern Cardinals were in the Crepe Myrtle Tree about ten feet from the window.  They were examining the climbing rose bush on the old arbor to see if there was a suitable nesting site available.  The call soon turned to a almost identifiable "Bir-dy, bir-dy, bir-dy" as the male moved off to the second arbor.  The first already is inhabited by a Mockingbird family and an unidentified critter that has moved into the birdhouse.  The hole of the birdhouse was obviously not large enough so the critter took things into its own hands (paws, feet, beak, whatever!).  This arbor had no vacancies so my sweet friends looked elsewhere.

Some critter was not too happy with the doorway of the birdhouse!

  The second arbor proved to be just as disappointing to the Cardinals as the first.  A lovely pair of Mourning Doves made their usual slipshod nest in the upper right corner while a Titmouse was busy trying to coax his ladylove into the birdhouse on the left.  Things are really beginning to fill up fast in the garden!  What was this pair to do?

A pair of Cardinals just outside my window this morning.  

  After a bit, the Cardinals moved to the west side of the garden where, as of yet, no critters have claimed a homestead.  A fence post woven with rose canes seemed to be satisfactory so the birds busied themselves for the rest of the day.  The fence post is only four feet above ground and that worries me a bit with our two cats always on the prowl and with three other cats trying to call the Bayou their home.  (Stray cats seem to love it here!)  By mid-afternoon, the Cardinals were well on their way to creating a fine home.  I suppose that in a few weeks, the entire garden will be filled with the tiny chirps of baby birds!  

  Isn't it grand to wake up to happy sounds such as birds singing?  It sure makes all seem right with the world...or at least all seem right with life on the Bayou.  "Cheer, cheer, cheer!"  Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal...I love your attitude!"