06/12/2026
Empty Nest ---
Several weeks ago, I noticed a bit of activity in the Fire Bush in our front yard. A cautious peek revealed the nest being built by 2 Robins from our neighborhood.
Over the coming weeks, I kept an eye, while trying not to spook them. A few eggs appeared. One parent would hop around the bush while the other left to get food.
I'm not interested in human neighborhood gossip, but I really like keeping up with my animal neighbors.
I was out of town this past weekend, and heard a few peeps. I took an opportunity to look again. Huzzah!!! Open mouths - babies had hatched.
Again not wanting to stress anyone, I stayed away. Last night around 10pm Juniper had to potty, which is why I was standing in my front yard and wondering why the Robins were making such a racket, and fluttering around the bush.
I was too sleepy to realize: someone had raided the nest. This morning it was empty.
So sad. I wonder who did it? We have feral cats, raccoons, and snakes, any one of whom may have needed a meal. I hope they went quickly. Poor little birdies.
This morning I took The Terriers into the gorge behind the house, where a red-bellied woodpecker silently glided from one tree trunk to the next. I can always recognize the call of their cousin, the pileated woodpecker, as it sounds exactly like Woody Woodpecker - a cartoon character from my youth.
For those of you too young to know Woody, he was an obnoxious and destructive fellow, yet somehow charming enough to always come out on top of the situation.
I carefully stepped over many Red Efts, wondering how many I had trod upon accidentally. They seem to be so flexible that an incautious step doesn't hurt them, but still.
The peewee played his slide trombone, the vireo twittered and twattered, the raven cackled, the green warbler played his flute, and as we left the forest, the wood thrush sent his echoing, haunting call.
Passing the swamp, we were serenaded by frogs. On our right, in the hayfield, the crickets chirped, and a red tailed hawk sent the call that always makes me feel like I am in an Old West Movie. That's the sound they played so we could understand how desolate and alone the hero or heroine was, out in the dry desert.
For what its worth, I've still not seen "our" fawn, but the neighbors told us she was spotted out with her mamma several times. phew! Be careful crossing the road, little one.
Which brings me to another sighting, a black bear with a lame hind leg. I'm guessing s/he was hit by a car? We never used to have bears, but so many people now use the waste hauling services meaning they leave garbage cans out overnight. Bears go where there is food, of course.
Short video of Oliver coming my way!!!
