Peek-a-boo!

  Every now and again, a critter is just downright adorable.  Take, for instance, the baby Red-bellied Woodpecker that visited me earlier this afternoon.  We had just been pounded with a gully-washer of a storm that left things a bit soggy.  Once the rain stopped for a few moments, I hurried down the board path to check on the old skiff.  On the way back up the hill, a small woodpecker decided to play a bit of hide and seek with me.  The bird was not one bit afraid of me nor did it seem to have any agitated parent birds anywhere near.  So, we played.  The bird first landed at the base of the old oak tree just a few feet from me.  It proceeded to peck away at some unseen critter inside the roots of the tree.  It would stop periodically to look at me then hammer away again. I talked with the bird.  After a bit, the little tyke moved up to about my eye level and then sort of skittered around the back of the tree.  It would peek around the side of the tree at me then disappear again.  A few seconds later, I would spy the little head looking around the other side of the tree.  This kept up for a good ten minutes even through the misting rain that had started once again.

  Growing weary of being in the same place, I eased around the other side of the tree.  At first, the little bird just froze.  I suppose it was terrified that I was too near but then instead of flying, the tyke hippity hopped up to the first limb.  This limb was just a short piece of a dead limb and was covered with lichens.  Oh, happy day!  The bird rummaged around in the lichens all the while keeping an eye on me,  Still, the little one was not frightened. It was within arm's reach at any given time and never once flew.  

  By this time, the clothes were getting a tad soaked and the camera (even though hidden under a towel) might not like the moisture.  A few photographs later, I bid the bird good day and continued up the hill.  The bird followed!  I was surprised when the little rascal landed on the feeder right in front of me!  Ok, Bird!  I really need to get out of this rain and you need to learn to a bit more skittish!  Some folks may not take kindly to you wanting to play and there are two cats ready to pounce at you if you dare venture any further!  I did make a discovery!  It is really hard to photograph a busy little bird while trying to keep a camera dry!

Determination

  Mark and I headed to the pier just after daybreak this morning.  As soon as we stepped on the board path that took us down the hillside, we heard a high-pitched shriek and then another.  Our eyes turned toward the old dead Black Gum tree just outside the front door.  This was the same tree that had seen so many tragedies this spring.  The European Starlings had lost their eggs to the Red-bellied Woodpeckers.  Those same woodpeckers took over the nesting hole and then lost their eggs to the Red-headed Woodpeckers.  This did not damper the nesting urge of the Red-bellies so Mama merely laid another batch of eggs.  These hatched and all seemed well with the world until that fateful day that a bad storm rolled in off the Bay.  The winds were terrific and the entire top of the tree toppled into the garden.  It just so happened to have broken right at the very spot that contained the young woodpeckers.  Both young birds perished with the impact of the tree hitting the ground.  Undaunted, Mama once again excavated a hole in the dead tree and laid another batch of eggs.  

  This morning's screeching was none other than the newest juvenile woodpecker.  A lone little one poked its head out of the hole and demanded breakfast.  Mama and Daddy Red-belly worked hard to find bugs for their loud youngster.  It seems that this little one should be out of the nest soon and should be able to find its own breakfast.  Barring any more tragedies, this nesting cycle should be a success...if you can call a single offspring during the three effort try, a success.  

  I will say this about the Red-bellied Woodpecker family, they are determined!  Against all odds, they stuck to their guns and raised this little squirt.  Now, if no hawk decides that the youngster is delicious, the bird should be well on its way to adulthood.  

Weekly Forecast...Rainy with Intermittent Showers of Sawdust

    It has been quite the rainy spring/summer here on the Bayou.  For eleven straight days, it rained....hard.  We were receiving two to three inches of the wet stuff each day.  The ground is soggy, which the garden likes.  The one tragic mishap involving the two fledgling Red-bellied Woodpeckers was a direct result of our inclement weather.  One afternoon, gale force winds accompanied the torrential rains.  This blew down the top of the dead Black Gum tree that housed the woodpeckers' nest.  The youngsters were killed on impact when the chunk of wood hit the ground.  For days afterward, the parent birds kept bringing bugs to the treetop in hopes that their young would magically appear to receive the treats.  It  broke my heart to watch this day after day but all things pass with time and the little ones were soon forgotten.  Birds are not renown for their long memories which, in this case, might be a good thing. 

  With all of the rain and soggy ground, I became concerned over the care of my outdoor furniture.  I mentioned it to Mark and within a couple of hours the problem was remedied.  He and Michael built a mini-deck for me!  It is just large enough to hold the four chairs and a small table. When they built it, they chose a site directly beneath the former bird nesting tree.  Never once did we think there would be a problem with this area.  It was within the confines of the Rose/Herb Garden where it is more or less protected.  Nothing could go wrong.  I would have a nice seating area to enjoy my morning mug of coffee or a late afternoon cup of herbal tea.  Boy, was I wrong.  

  Yesterday evening, Mark and I went out to enjoy the cooling breezes from the Bay.  Our chairs were shaded by the jasmine vine and the air was scented by the delightful aroma of gardenias.  This was the perfect setting for a bit of relaxation. Our peaceful little bubble was soon burst by a sudden shower of wood.  Sawdust came pelting down upon our heads and in our drinks!  What?  Sawdust?  What was causing this?  I looked up just in time to see a flash of red disappear into a hole in the top of what was left of the Black Gum tree.  Mama Red-belly was busy working on a new nest!  Papa Red-belly had already excavated a nice size hole in the dead tree and she was now busy putting the finishing touches on the nest.  These two were through grieving for their lost young and were ready to start a new family.  Life continues. It is sort of sad, though, as the birds do not realize that the very same thing might happen again.  This tree is bound to be subjected to high winds this summer with hurricane season upon us.  As rotten as the tree is, it will not withstand harsh winds.  Another nest is likely to come tumbling from the treetops but hopefully this will occur after the little ones have gone on their merry way.

  Mark and I moved our afternoon respite to the benches a bit further down the hill.  The wind sailed the wood chips to the north of us and let them shower down upon my outdoor furniture.  The deck and furniture was soon covered with the sawdust.  Hopefully, the birds will finish their home-building chores and let us enjoy Mark and Michael's handiwork of the deck.  

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!"

The Turnaround

  I have heard that European Starlings are quite aggressive birds.  They compete for food and even suitable nesting sights.  Since they usually are cavity nesters, they will push out the Eastern Bluebirds and woodpeckers if necessary.  Still, I was elated to find that a pair of starlings was nesting in the dead Black Gum tree just outside the front door.  This tree has housed everything from bluebirds, wrens, woodpeckers, flying squirrels and mice.  A myriad of bugs also inhabit this like any other dead tree.  There are any number of holes that can easily be turned into a cozy home for any critter.  The starlings did not push out any other critters but decided to inhabit a new hole that was carved by a woodpecker last year.  All was perfect in the starlings' world.  They had a cozy nest and had settled in right nicely.  Then the big turnaround occurred.

  Today, I noticed a Red-bellied Woodpecker hammering around on the very same tree.  Granted this bird (or one of the same species) had nested in the tiptop of the tree last year but that tiptop had given way to wind and landed on top of my house.  The woodpecker hammered here and there.  I assumed it was searching for bugs and nothing more.  I kept an eye on the bird from my perfect vantage point of the Herb Garden.  Round and round the bird went.  Each time drew it closer and closer to the nest of the starlings.  Mama Starling had deposited at least one egg and perhaps even two in the nest this week.  When the woodpecker approached the nest hole, Mama Starling let out a terrible racket.  This, most likely, was meant to attract the attention of Papa Starling but he was nowhere to be found.  Mama was on her own with this battle.  She fought well but the woodpecker was relentless. Finally in desperation, she flew from the nest.  That was all it took.  Her vacating the home site gave the woodpecker the advantage.  Into the nest, it dove!  Out came all sorts of nesting material and I am supposing a few eggs.  Mama darted at the woodpecker but it was to no avail.  Her home was destroyed.

  I never knew that woodpeckers could be so brutal but then again, starlings would do the same thing if the roles had been reversed.  They, too, are not above destroying the eggs of another bird and claiming the nest as their own.  Mama Starling flew to the hickory tree to mourn the loss of her home and future little ones.  Not once did I see the father bird.  I wonder if the Cooper's Hawk made a breakfast of him earlier this morning.  There was quite a disturbance outside my window at daybreak. If this, indeed, happened, how tragic for Mama Starling. Perhaps today was the day that she lost everything..spouse, future children and home.  Sometimes life is almost unbearable.  I will try to notice tomorrow if Papa Starling does return or even if Mama does, for that matter.

The Enigma of the Acorns is Solved!

Back in mid January, I wrote about finding acorns stuffed in some holes down on the pier posts.  I pondered just what critter had decided to hide its stash two hundred feet out from the shoreline.  Several thoughts came to mind but none were ever satisfactorily confirmed.  The enigma lived on and went unsolved for the past six months.  Although, I watched the pier posts, I never saw any critter that struck me as being an "acorn-eater" ever even come near the area.  I was bewildered.

This evening after our (here lately) usual thunderstorm, I headed to the pier.  This storm, like yesterday's, was quite fierce.  Strong winds and lightning seemed to be the "way of the day"!  Today, we even had a slight bit of hail.  What a difference an hour or so makes!  As I walked the pier, you would have never expected that a violent storm had just passed over the Bayou.  All was calm and peaceful!  As I neared where the marsh meets the water, I saw a flicker of movement on one of the posts.  I motioned for Ms. Ez to stay.  Whatever was on the post had not seen us as of yet but if that big, lumbering dog had her way, no critter would be safe on the pier!  I waited for just a few seconds and then saw what was working so diligently on the post.  A Red Bellied Woodpecker was trying its best to extricate an acorn from the hole in the post!  Aha!  So you are the smart critter that hid your future feast far from filching friends! I watched as the bird went from post to post all the while trying to find an acorn.  I knew that there were still some in the posts but the bird could not get to them.  Earlier, when it had poked the acorns into the man-made holes, it did not take into consideration that later they might be hard to reach.  Each acorn that was shoved in the hole pushed the previous ones further into the post.  Some were a good eight inches in the middle of a hard post. This was proving to be the undoing of the bird's well-laid plan.  Sure, he hid his stash from all the other birds but now he could not get to them himself!  Poor bird, maybe he was not so smart after all!

I am supposing tomorrow I will be the kindhearted friend of the critters and will fetch a stick to help out the hungry bird.  Since the holes were drilled all the way through the posts, I should be able to shove the acorns to one side.  Hopefully, the bird will be able to figure a way of hiding his acorns a bit better this next winter!

Some Come..Some Go..

I have been keeping tabs on all of the birds' nests in the area..especially those close at hand.  The Mourning Dove on top of the grape arbor has two little ones that are nigh on leaving the nest.  These were a second laying for this dove as she lost the first two to crows.  It is a sad thing to know predators get little ones but then life must go on after such a tragedy.  She reconstructed her nest and laid two more eggs.  These fared better since the grape leaves grew thick and covered the nest nicely.  Tragedy struck harshly to the Mourning Dove that has nested twice already on top of the rose/jasmine arbor.  Once her little ones flew happily away to be on their own, she had thoughts of nesting for a third time this year.  I watched as she and the male dove added a few more twigs to the existing nest and then one morning..the first egg!  This was to be an eventful year for the doves!  Three nestings in one summer...and perhaps even more!  I began to think all was well in the avian world (and it probably still is).

About a week ago, I rose early to catch the sunrise.  Imagine my dismal surprise when I came upon a large pile of grey feathers right along side of the board path that leads to the pier.  Uh oh...an owl or hawk must have gotten one of the fledgling doves!  Poor baby!  I supposed that Mama and Daddy bird had not taught the little ones to watch for dangers from above.  I went on to the pier with a little sadness in my heart all the while knowing that these things happen in the wild.  Later, I watched the nest.  Had I missed Mama Dove coming in to lay her next egg?  I peeked in the nest..one egg..hmmm?  The next day and every day since, Mama Dove has been absent.  The reality hit me today as I watched the bird feeders.  Two young doves were present.  Obviously, the feathers that I had seen were Mama Dove.  She would never hatch the lone egg that still sits in a cold nest.  Poor Mama Dove.  My sadness grew and the nest sat empty except for an egg that will never hatch.

Then as I watched the feeders, I realized that life does indeed go on even after tragedies.  Mama Red Bellied Woodpecker came in with a single fledgling!  She was teaching the tyke how to extract sunflower seeds from the wire cage feeders.  At first, the youngster sat on the driftwood post and shrieked at Mama.  "I am hungry!  Feed me!"  Mama obliged a couple of times and then pretended not to hear the demands.  "Feed me!  Feed me!"  Mama Woodpecker continued to get seeds but she was taking them to the post to crack them only to eat them herself!  The youngster's shrieks got louder and louder but still Mama Woodpecker ignored the ruckus.  Finally, the young woodpecker decided to try its best to get a seed! Success!  Try as it might, it could not crack the seed to get the soft inner core.  Mama showed the little one how to use a knothole in the post for cracking.  It will take some doing for the little woodpecker to learn exactly how to maneuver the seed in place and how to peck at it just so to crack the hard outer layer.  Mama will stay right there and teach the little one all the tricks of the trade, though.  She is a good mama.  And life goes on...

Gems from the garden!

I was out early this morning..right at daybreak. I had a mission. I wanted to get to the blackberries before the birds had a chance to get their share! It seems that since Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal made their abode in the vines, they laid claim to all that grew around them. Well, I was careful not to disturb them as long as Mrs. C was on the nest and then again when the little ones were still flightless. Now...the vines are mine again! When I slipped out to the fenceline, the berries sparkled like jewels. The dew from the night was still thick upon them. I could not help but pop the first few into my mouth! Oh..the sweet goodness of a fresh-picked berry! It took me nigh on thirty minutes to fill my pail, but the time nor the thorns mattered. I was gathering gems from the garden! Actually, these gems make me happier than all of the gemstones from a jeweler. Call me crazy but a cold, hard rock cannot bring as big a smile to my face as a pail of edible jewels from the garden! Simple pleasures..smile inducing..priceless!

These berries were soon washed and tossed in a pot. After a while of cooking, some sugar and a bit of homemade apple pectin, blackberry jam was being jarred! Ten more pints were added to the shelf! Family and friends will definitely be recipients of some homemade goodies soon. On some slow day, I will bake loaves of sourdough bread to deliver along with a pint of jam. Nothing better!

After finishing the chores for the day, I perched myself in my favorite chair in the front yard. There was a delightful breeze blowing in from the bay making this the perfect cooling-off place. One reason I love to sit here is that from this chair, I have full few of the many bird feeders. Today, the birds were putting on quite the performance. The bluejays and redwinged blackbirds were jockeying for the best position on the feeders. They both seem to like the black oil sunflower seeds and will challenge any that comes between them and their intended meal. As they were busy chasing each other, the redbellied woodpecker helped himself to their seeds. I was at first confused by his actions but after studying him for a bit, I realized this was one smart bird! He would land on the feeder, pick up a seed, fly to the driftwood post and deposit the seed in a knot hole. Then he would start pecking at the seed in the hole.

This was repeated with every seed and it took me a few minutes to realize that he was using the knot hole as a holder so he could shell out his seed. He had figured out that the seed would sit securely in the hole while he pounded away at it. I was impressed at his ingenuity!