The wren who nested in the hanging basket on my front porch successfully fledged her two nestlings–when I peeked inside after a week away, the nest was empty. And the spider plant still lives! Hurray, and thanks for the suggestions on watering.
Next up, the bluebird house in the back yard has been occupied by a nesting pair of bluebirds at last! Hubby dearest and I see them flitting about the back yard, resting on the corner of the lanai, or darting off into the neighbor’s gorgeous live oak, where they keep an eye on their home. It’s wonderful to see them there, so bright and glorious. I wasn’t sure we’d actually get bluebirds, and not sparrows, in the house. I’ve never hosted bluebirds before, so watching them is much fun.
In final avian news, the hummingbirds have returned, and found my feeder at last! (They retreated all winter long which I hadn’t really expected, being that I’m in Florida. Guess I’m too far north, and it was too cold for them this year.). Which leads to a strange tale.
Two days ago, I returned from an afternoon’s quick dog walk to find some large, weirdly-shaped thing on the screen beside the door. At first I thought it was a frog, but no–it was in a sunbeam, and no frog would be there when the temps are in the 80’s. Coming closer, it moved, and I saw it was a hummingbird who’d gotten his beak stuck in the mesh of the screen. He rose up, flapping his wings trying to back out, but just couldn’t escape. I hurried inside the screen, got a napkin and placed it over his beak. Then I pushed gently. The poor bird was winging frantically. When finally his beak released, he flew backwards, then away. After a moment, he flew to the feeder, fed, and darted off again. (I’d love to share a photo of the bird, but I didn’t wait to release him: hummingbirds often die in such situations, since they use too much energy and starve to death in hours, or less.) So, bird life saved and happiness achieved.
Speaking of which, it’s time to replace the hummingbird nectar.
Everyday Magic | M. E. Garber 