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Saturday, April 19, 2014

Nesting Birds and Migrating Postmen

On a sunny Saturday, such as today, we'd normally take our lunch outside onto the deck and enjoy the breeze-dancing tree branches and birdsong. We're not short on birdsong right now. Two pairs of finches have chosen to nest between the beams, under the protective overhang. I can't bring myself to disturb their sanctuary.


We've progressed from parent birds working hard to build nests, through the incubation period, to the chattering chirrups of demanding fledglings and the incessant air traffic of birds trying to satisfy their ever-hungry young. There are baby birds hunkered down in this photo. I climbed on a step ladder to get the shot but they're struggling so hard to be invisible that you can hardly see them, unless you enlarge the image.


There's another nest in the lamp outside our front door. We took the bulb out of the light early on, so no one would inadvertantly toast them. This nest is fashioned from jasmine and collie fur. Our cat sits in the entry and watches the winged silouhettes flash back and forth across the stained glass windows.
We have stereo bird song from front and back of our living quarters. Who could ask for a sweeter wake up call each morning?
Our neighborhood Postman retired this week. Bob has been here longer than we. He's an old fashioned looking guy, with a civil war hair do and moustache. He knows everyone by name and has a soft spot for dogs and cats. He's originally from the Smokey Mountains and has a slight disability due to an accident with a moonshine still, in his youth.
We have an email group for about eighty houses on these three streets and a cul de sac or two. It was instigated for disaster preparedness after the earthquake in 1989. The group email was used to chat about how best to thank Bob for his diligent and friendly service. A collection was proposed and topped $800 in two days. We all left cards and notes for Bob on our mailboxes on Friday. Mine suggested that he leash up his own dogs and come walk these streets as an honorary neighbor. 

18 comments:

  1. Had I been your postman I would have been both touched and delighted...and I'd be round there with my dog the very next day.
    We have birds nesting too....some just alongside the balcony and one bright spark in the chandelier...which means no evening meals after sundown...

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    1. Helen, my cat loves to hang out on that balcony. She doesn't understand why the door is closed to her. (or maybe she does...)

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  2. I do like the sound of a nest made of jasmine and collie fur .....

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    1. S&S, the birds didn't have to go far to collect nesting materials:)

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  3. I've got some nests too. Love to listen to their songs. The birds around the barn use the horse hair we sweep outside after grooming.

    Your postman sounds like a great guy. I hope he brings his dog to walk the neighborhood after retirement.

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    1. Grey Horse, Horse hair has been used in construction of human homes over the years, I believe. Mixed in to strengthen plaster, for example. The birdsong always makes me smile, even when it wakes me up at first light.

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  4. So nice of you to surrender your space to the birds. I have barn swallows in the barn and do my best to accommodate them too....bit of an issue with a nest over a feed tub, however. That, I will need to address somehow as bird poo in the feed is not exactly tasty.

    What a lovely tribute to Bob. I doubt he expected such a generous send off from his customers. Sending more good wishes for his happy retirement!

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    1. Jean, Swallows are so fun to watch. I expect there's a solution to be found that will catch both the bird droppings and any fledglings that can't quite fly yet.

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  5. We have two lovely birdhouses hanging in our trees that have never once been chosen. Instead, each and every year, a new robin couple decides to build a nest in our gutter. Drives Bing insane. And a good postman is a god send. We had one for years and didn't realize how lucky we were until we got the one we have now...who mixes up our mail so often that we now know that our neighbor to our left is a gun enthusiast and devoted Republican. And he knows that we are very green and that I adore tea.

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    1. Maria, the babies have flown the nest. I was worried when I saw it was empty, until much fluttering and cheeping filled the air. The parent birds are landing back home with full beaks and all four babies zoom in after them. My cat is glued to the glass.

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  6. Just found your blog via Maria... With a title like yours I just had to take a peek.... I'm not disappointed. Hope you don't mind if I tag along awhile?
    John

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    1. Hi John, and thanks for the kind words. Welcome along for the ride.

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  7. I love it that you have entry & exit nesting bird realms at your home! Wish I were there to hear them!

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    1. Ms. P. but we have no nightingales here. One of my most missedFrench things...Nightingales trilling through the May nights. Incomparable.

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  8. Your neighbourhood sounds a bit like an English village. We’d certainly get up a collection for a long-term postman, milkman, or newspaper deliverer.

    Lovely to have stereo birdsong. Mind you, I will probably be glad when it’s over for the season, they do wake one up earlier than one wants. This one, anyway.

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    1. Friko, the mixed cultures attracted by high tech jobs, seem to all have cultures that value family walks, with two, or more, generations. There is conversation, both amongst themselves (in whatever language) and with other neighbors who garden or walk dogs. It is a social and friendly atmosphere.

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  9. My bush jay came back, for the peanuts, but I have no idea where their nest is.

    I hope Bob does keep on visiting, what a great neighborhood to live in.

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  10. Zhoen, we now have three nests on the back deck, one of which is being used for the second time, by a new family.
    I'm glad your Jay returned. Smart birds.

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