Nature's Sad Moments

Life seems hard at times in the world of man and in the world of birds...especially bluebirds. After the first go around of finding cracked eggs and a new nest, everything seems to be going perfect for the pair of bluebirds in our backyard. They laid 4 beautiful eggs and the female was diligent about sitting and protecting the eggs. The male would stand guard even in the cold rainy weather. Then about a couple of days before hatching, the female gently semi-covered the blue eggs with the soft grasses of the nest. Then they both disappeared!!! Before she left I noticed a Mockingbird chasing her and basically taking over the backyard. Whatever the reason, they left. Then two days later a male bluebird arrived (the same?? or another).  Sadly, the eggs were not incubated and the babies inside have died. The male has been standing guard again and calls in his little sweet chirp. Then yesterday, he started coming to the kitchen windows and the bathroom window. He would "bird knock" all day long. The eggs are still in the nest...I cracked one (after 21 days) and it had a perfect little bluebird inside (but there was no life). Today I must remove the nest and remaining eggs. It is with sadness that I didn't do all I could to protect them more. (I placed the mealy worms too close to the nest!!!...big mistake!!!) What will happen after today? I don't know!! 

knocking at the bathroom window

 The Starlings don't seem to have the problems with nesting (just the neighborhood Red-shouldered Hawk)! It was so funny to watch the parent Starling, followed closely by it's "big baby" fledgling.

All around the back yard the parent would get food and stop to feed baby. The learning lesson continued for a long time. Sweet!

The House Wren in the front yard is also doing great.

Close to the property line are two lovely and tall Tulip Poplars (or Yellow Poplar). This tree was recently in full beauty with the most lovely flowers. This Poplar is the state tree of Kentucky. 

R has finished the closet and it looks great!! He did such a good job. The painter comes today and then that will be it! Then we organize and clean and put our house on the market! (I hope it sells!)

Today is a good day...so off I go to see what nature is up to!

Juliet