CRAZY Bird LADY

Love Bird Headband

It's official - I am a Crazy Bird Lady.  I see my corporate neighbors watching me when I peak into the bushes, repeatedly. Or gaze up at the sky, for longer than a normal person would or should.

I am ignoring the finches, pigeons, geese and swallows.  For now I'm focused on the blackbirds.  They show me where LITTLE ONE is.

It's been a week since LITTLE ONE left the orange flower pot - his makeshift nest perched on the top step of a six foot ladder.

On the first day of his freedom, while hidden in the holly bush just below my dining room window, I watched him being fed.  Knowing his parents can find him is comforting. I try my best not to worry. Nature and his parents will take good care of him.

A few days later, LITTLE ONE moved beyond the holly bush.  This is good because it was too close to the ground. I was worried Kittay would escape the confines of the house, capture, kill him and claim it was justified due to her unwarranted quarantine.

For now, LITTLE ONE spends his time between a lush evergreen bush and the lowest branches of a tall pine tree. Both are between our neighboring office building and the waterfall.  It's a great spot for LITTLE ONE - Kittay, never goes anywhere near here.  

He still has some growing up to do.  This morning, while chasing his parents for food, he crashed into a second floor office window.  It was all I could do NOT to rush over and pick him up.  He recovered quickly then spent some quiet time in the shade.

I can easily distinguish a blackbirds call from the other chicks.  As best as I can tell, there are two remaining blackbird nests - both are very close to LITTLE ONEs original nest.

Early yesterday morning while walking Mylo, my daughters miniature pincher, he stuck his nose into a bush and pulled out a small grey creature. It's scream was high pitched and quick. I was certain it was a chirp. My scream was frantic and blood curdling. Convinced he found LITTLE ONE, I yanked on his leash, pulled open his mouth and watched a tiny mole drop out.

Walking back, I noticed a few of my neighbors, on their balconies, eyeing the Crazy Bird Lady.  I kept my head held high and Mylo, the triumphant hunter, close to my side.

As for my other neighbors - the Chickadee's are annoyingly skittish and I am amazed at how relaxed the robins are. They spend more time strutting their stuff on the ground then flying.

Most of the orioles have left the large birch tree at the base of the river and as much as I try to attract hummingbirds, with a habitat of pink and purple tubular flowers, they prefer the towering stalks on the adjacent restaurants' deck.

I buried yet another baby swallow today - this is the 9th. Poor little fellow couldn't have been hatched for more than a few days.  To mark their graves, I make tiny crosses out of twigs and add a few fresh picked flowers from my garden.

Why do so many chicks end up on the ground?

Above my neighbors garage is a nest of baby swallows - 5 in total.  One, the "Runt," is noticeably not up to speed. Typically, he's backwards in the nest and his feathers are not as full or bright as the others.

Yesterday the first, brave little chick, hopped out of his nest and perched on the steel eye beam that supports their home.

As of this morning, all but Runt have stepped outside the nest.

I will need to keep a close eye on THIS "Little One."

Green Monkey Tales © 2010 Shannon E. Kennedy

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