Don't know why I am thinking about nests and eggs this morning. Must be those darn goose babies from last year. They are out on my porch, quite large now and crapping on the sidewalk and patio and honking. The minute the drapes go open, they swim over and climb the steps. They actually peck on the windows and look through them. I put a little fencing across the back yard next to the lake, but there are a few spaces they can still get in. Worse, I saw them picking at my tiger lily shoots coming up. They also like the seeds from the bird feeders that are dropped. It's always something.
By the way, during the move, I dropped and broke this sculpture of my hand.
This is a study of mockingbirds I did. If you remember, I used to climb the tallest trees to look into nests and see the babies and eggs.
I do miss my chickens, especially the ones that were like pets. But, I really miss the eggs.
I know I've told you this before so humor me. Indians learned to make baskets from watching the birds' build their nests. I love that. Here is one I made.
Little hummingbird nest. They'll return the first of April, so have your feeders ready.
The mallard eggs in my bush last spring. As you can see I am thinking about spring. On the back porch yesterday, I watched a starling going into the birdhouse the sparrows use. The sparrows have been making trips for stuff to build their nest and the starling was going in and removing it all and flying away with it. Mother Nature doesn't like that. Me and my weenies are getting ready to go chase the geese away. Better put my pants on first. This ain't the farm.
Have a wonderful weekend.
28 comments:
Lots of nesting around here. I noticed the Blur Heron at their rookery this week, almost 30 nests. I could hear a robin singing the egg song near my front door and eagles are all sitting on eggs. There is a Ruby Throated Migration site that shows their arrivals here in the states
Were you able to cement your sculpture together again? Then it's a new art piece.
I have a mockingbird that I have named Jacob? who know why ? that I am training to come into the yard when I whistle. Each day it is getting better. He had already staked out my yard as his territory and there are two older nests over my wall in trees along a walkway. He loves my large birdbath and he swoops so close in front of me and will perch within about 3 feet of me now. I fear he is a bachelor though and he has been silent since I discovered him. Been reading up on them and hoping some females come around soon. I had three years of nests in a bottlebrush tree and loved watching/ hearing the babies. Spent one entire afternoon sitting still while they fledged. The tree died and then the nests appeared over the wall. Fingers crossed.
That is interesting. We have a lone Great Blue Heron that flies and fishes at the lake outside. Never have seen a mate. Love to hear the robins sing. they are in abundance around here.
No and I don't have a source for the Italian clay I used to sculpt with. Long time ago.
Miss Mare, Mockingbirds are my favorite birds. I discovered that the ones in the country sing different songs than the city ones, which do sirens and honks. They are very territorial and make me laugh.
I am so sorry to hear about your sculpture. And even sorrier to learn in your response to Joanne it cannot be fixed.
Hooray for nests. And nesting. And eggs.
Lol yes..pants will be de rigueur there!
I love your eggs..I am sorry for the beautiful sculpture..and what an artist you are Miss Shaw.
Alas Child, I've broken more than not. The are pretty fragile. I didn't have a kiln to fire them, so one not broken is a rarity. Kind of like an egg.
I would not like to have geese coming in my yard. I emptied the little birdhouse the bluebirds nested in last year. I startled them one day last week walking over to the raised beds where they were gathering some of the hay for a nest. I looked in the birdhouse on my way back and yup, new nesting material but I haven't seen the bluebirds since. right now the yard and bird feeder is being swarmed with grackles.
You're so sweet Monique.
Thankfully, the grackles only come when I put suet out, then everyone better watch out.
You might get assistance from my wonderful blog friend Gina. If you haven't visited her blog you should - her ceramics and paintings are so beautiful. She visits Italy and still takes master classes from Italian artists and perhaps might know where you could find your clay! Even if she can't help, I'm certain you will love 'meeting' her, and seeing her amazing farm and land in Utah. She's a beautiful and kind lady.
Here's the link to her blog named Art and Alfalfa Donna - http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com
Mary -
Vicki, I love this post so much...every bit of it. Seeing your beautiful mockingbird drawing was best of all. xo
Thank you Frances. I'm coming to take you to the neurologist ;)
Mary, thank you so much. I'm going now.
What a shame about that fantastic hand sculpture. I do so love the way you render birds as well. Eggs, any shape & size, are so appealing to look at. Why is that?
Bea, I don't know the attraction, but I do love birds. Perhaps I was a bird in a former life only I think it was an ostrich.
Oh my gosh, you've made so many wondrous things! Sorry your hand got broken:(
Too funny about the geese, okay minus the eating your flowers and using the sidewalk and patio as the master bath:) Are they waiting for you to feed them?
Hope you're having a wondrous weekend with your family.
Hugs
I was teasing a bit. I don't think I need the neurologist and so far two doctors and the CAT scan seem to agree. Mind you...I am definitely "on guard." Thank you so much. xo
Thank you Sandra. Every morning they are honking and quacking. Going for more fencing today to try and keep them out. Hope your weekend was good too. Penny Lane is going home this afternoon. I will miss her though I am worn out. Wish I still had the energy I used to.
Glad to hear it. I thought you were then I started thinking, what if she isn't and is confused. It is just such a worrying sort of injury. My husband works with TBI patients from wrecks, falls, all sorts of things, so that is why I worried. My own oldest daughter had a TBI when she was 19 from a wreck. I tend to have a knee jerk reaction when the head is involved and your accident was a real lulu. Hope each day finds you better and better.
If we could only bottle energy from the grands.....
You know I didn't realize that watching birds make nests was how the Indians learned to make their baskets. Good info.
Have a restful Monday:)
I'm sorry but it still has me giggling that the geese wait every morning for the shades to open, take the stairs and knock on the window. That is too funny! I'm thinking of spring too. Too much snow this year. Still coming down today. Not usual for the Pacific Northwest. Hoping the big day of actual spring will bring a change in the weather. Hope all is well with you! Hugs...
You too Kristen. I know the weather has been brutal in the Pacific northwest this winter and in CA too. Though ours has been mild, there were bad wildfires yesterday then thunderstorms last night. Hope they cancelled each other out. If the geese didn't look so sweet and friendly, I'd probably be lobbing firecrackers out back. Was going to scrub the patio and walks yesterday, but the rain did the job for me. Take care and keep me posted on your adventures.
Yes, very symbiotic relationship with the animals and nature before television.
Dear Donna - your Mockingbird Study is super!. You are so talented friend. Interesting about the Indians and how they learned to make baskets. Upon reflection though it makes perfect sense. You better put your pants on too :) With neighbors close by they might start talking (LOL)! Hugs
I know. It is hard to take the country out of the girl. Nomadic living taught them much about what grows where and when, that was edible. The crows are the first to let you know something this way comes. They learned much from the earth that has been all but lost in the modern world.
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