Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Learning About Wrens
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thanks to the wonderful library known as the internet, I have learned a great deal about the Carolina Wrens that have made my kitchen window their home.
They are fascinating birds. They aren't very common this far North clime, so I am fortunate to be able to enjoy them. They don't migrate, so they are susceptible to harsh winters--and we've had very harsh winters. This pair must be very hardy.
I think it's sweet that they are monogamous and mate for life; once they fall in love that's it. They even have a detailed courtship ritual. They meet and once the male puts on a show to impress the female. He is known to shake a tailfeather--he will preen and puff up and run in circles while fanning his tail and hopping. Pretty cool. Apparently the girls really dig this.
The really resourceful males will offer food to his paramour to seal the deal. It's kinda like human dating, isn't it? The males show off to get our attention and then take us out to dinner and maybe some dancing. LOL. Once the female decides that she likes the male they are bonded for life. No wonder the male tries so hard--he's asking for forever!
A bonded pair then searches for suitable housing together. It's the male's responsibility to present her with a suitable place to continue their life together as their relationship gets more serious. After the eggs are laid, males further care for their lover by bringing food to her as she incubates her eggs, and he also will help bring food and care for the hatchlings.
I've been able to witness this over the past month. The babies have been making a pleasant racket all day long along with their dad. I learned that the males are the only ones to sing. And they are LOUD! Fortunately I find it to be very pleasant. I learned that they are probably one of the loudest birds around.
Thanks to the wonderful library known as the internet, I have learned a great deal about the Carolina Wrens that have made my kitchen window their home.
They are fascinating birds. They aren't very common this far North clime, so I am fortunate to be able to enjoy them. They don't migrate, so they are susceptible to harsh winters--and we've had very harsh winters. This pair must be very hardy.
I think it's sweet that they are monogamous and mate for life; once they fall in love that's it. They even have a detailed courtship ritual. They meet and once the male puts on a show to impress the female. He is known to shake a tailfeather--he will preen and puff up and run in circles while fanning his tail and hopping. Pretty cool. Apparently the girls really dig this.
The really resourceful males will offer food to his paramour to seal the deal. It's kinda like human dating, isn't it? The males show off to get our attention and then take us out to dinner and maybe some dancing. LOL. Once the female decides that she likes the male they are bonded for life. No wonder the male tries so hard--he's asking for forever!
A bonded pair then searches for suitable housing together. It's the male's responsibility to present her with a suitable place to continue their life together as their relationship gets more serious. After the eggs are laid, males further care for their lover by bringing food to her as she incubates her eggs, and he also will help bring food and care for the hatchlings.
I've been able to witness this over the past month. The babies have been making a pleasant racket all day long along with their dad. I learned that the males are the only ones to sing. And they are LOUD! Fortunately I find it to be very pleasant. I learned that they are probably one of the loudest birds around.
Wrenovation
Monday, August 1, 2011
At least someone’s “wrenovation” is complete. We should be so lucky! Mrs. Wren has finished her nest in my kitchen window, laid her eggs, and according to the little peeps I hear when I am at my sink or stove her babies have hatched. Of course, Mama built such a well constructed nest that I cannot see these little peepers.
I think Mama is a bit ticked off at me right now. How dare I have the nerve to wash dishes and cook dinner at the stove while she’s trying to feed her demanding young. She keeps popping into the window and craning her neck to either stare me down and tell me to “back off!” or try to decide if I am a threat to her brand new family. I try to stay out of her way. Yes, I have altered my schedule around her feeding schedule. LOL. What can I say? I love my birds.
I finally saw Mr. Wren. I guess the Mrs. decided that she’s had enough of doing all the work and has told him he needs to step up to provide for his family. She must be quite persuasive as Daddy has risen to the occasion.
On the wildlife front I am enjoying my Garage Sentries (eh, toads). Each night four of these toads position themselves at equal intervals along the length of the garage door. It's so funny--they look like they are standing guard all in a line like that. And they look pretty darn grumpy. I wouldn't mess with them.
Oh, and then there's this thing:I finally saw Mr. Wren. I guess the Mrs. decided that she’s had enough of doing all the work and has told him he needs to step up to provide for his family. She must be quite persuasive as Daddy has risen to the occasion.
On the wildlife front I am enjoying my Garage Sentries (eh, toads). Each night four of these toads position themselves at equal intervals along the length of the garage door. It's so funny--they look like they are standing guard all in a line like that. And they look pretty darn grumpy. I wouldn't mess with them.
He's been hanging out in the same window as the wren family. He's rather prehistoric looking. I think this is a Katydid (do you spell that with a C or a K?) Off to be a nerd and learn more about these bugs...
A Little Birdie Told Me...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Somehow amidst all of the chaos in life there can come little subtle reminders that life is meant to have joy, and that diligent effort pays off. It’s ironic how you can see reflections of yourself in the most unlikely places. This week serendipity has visited me in the form of a little bird nest and the daily visitor working so hard to build it. My heart has been heavy with worry, so this unexpected happy surprise has given my weary spirit a break, a welcomed re-focus on something other than this colossal renovation that has Jeff and I very taxed. Watching birds is something that has always brought me great peace, and I needed this tiny visitor especially now. But I never expected to learn so much from what this little birdie told me.
It started the other day when I noticed some random leaves and pine needles collecting in the kitchen window. I shrugged it off of debris from the cluster of summer thunderstorms we’ve had. But then each subsequent day there was more and more stuff placed in there, strategically it seemed. Everything started taking on a sort of domed spiral shape, and more artfully each day.
Then as washed one of my favorite stainless steel pots one evening I saw a surprised little bird face pop up in the window to glare at me. She was a mere 15 inches from my face, and the look on hers was a cross between, “Oh my goodness I didn’t see you standing there!” and “Oh it’s just you. I shall carry on with my business.” She’s building her nest right there in our window. I’ve enjoyed seeing her expert building efforts, and being the perpetual science/biology geek that I have always been I wanted to identify her and learn all about their habits and learn everything I could about them. I went to a wonderful site I discovered some time ago called Whatbird.com to help me classify her. I learned that she could be one of these:
I think she's a Carolina Wren, but I am not 100% sure. She looks a little longer than this bird but still has the downcurved beak and similar coloring. She may be some variety of Thrush, which was my first guess. I'm still doing my research:-)
I’ve always marveled at birds’ nests. How can these little creatures know how to build such structurally sound and functional nests? It’s as if each little one is a designer, architect, and construction expert. Most humans can’t claim that! They just know what to do. It’s instinct. They construct these amazing feats that are stable and tough enough to weather storms, yet are gentle enough to cradle in comfort their offspring to continue the beautiful cycle of life. And they do all of this without arms! That is amazing to me.
It started the other day when I noticed some random leaves and pine needles collecting in the kitchen window. I shrugged it off of debris from the cluster of summer thunderstorms we’ve had. But then each subsequent day there was more and more stuff placed in there, strategically it seemed. Everything started taking on a sort of domed spiral shape, and more artfully each day.
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| Please excuse the dirty window:-) |
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| This gorgeous photo from bigdogsbirdblog.wordpress.com |
I think she's a Carolina Wren, but I am not 100% sure. She looks a little longer than this bird but still has the downcurved beak and similar coloring. She may be some variety of Thrush, which was my first guess. I'm still doing my research:-)
I’ve always marveled at birds’ nests. How can these little creatures know how to build such structurally sound and functional nests? It’s as if each little one is a designer, architect, and construction expert. Most humans can’t claim that! They just know what to do. It’s instinct. They construct these amazing feats that are stable and tough enough to weather storms, yet are gentle enough to cradle in comfort their offspring to continue the beautiful cycle of life. And they do all of this without arms! That is amazing to me.
For days I’ve been watching her scouting locations to build her nest. She chose well. Our screen is stuck into a 2” open position and we haven’t been able to fix it because of the location. Pretty smart bird to build in a nice dry, secure area. I’ve seen her dutifully selecting just the right materials from all around the yard and in the surrounding woods and fly back into the window with her found treasure. She’s quite particular, too when she’s picking out nesting supplies! She’s thinking ahead and planning the perfect little home for her impending family. She’s just a tiny little thing, and some of those twigs are pretty large for her to be carrying around in her little curved beak.
I know that it’s hard for her, but she does it. When the storms come, she stops to rest and let them pass, but she never fails each day to build upon what she has already done. And little by little she’s making her nest and looking forward to her new life. That’s what I need to do: mind the storms, but don’t let them discourage me. There will always be storms. It’s how you deal with them that matters.
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| She's quick, and it's hard to snap a picture. My husband managed to capture this photo this morning. |
I know that it’s hard for her, but she does it. When the storms come, she stops to rest and let them pass, but she never fails each day to build upon what she has already done. And little by little she’s making her nest and looking forward to her new life. That’s what I need to do: mind the storms, but don’t let them discourage me. There will always be storms. It’s how you deal with them that matters.
In the evening after the construction toils of her day she flies away to wherever her current home is to rest for the next day of preparing her new one. I relate to her. We’re trying so hard to build our “nest.” It’s been such a difficult couple of years with so many unexpected bumps in the road with finding the right location, right home, and right way to plan this renovation that is taking forever. I feel sometimes like we’ve run out of steam. I’m carrying some fairly heavy twigs in my beak, and my wings feel tired. I long for the time that we can just pitch down in the evening like all the birds living around our space now. It seems far off, but I still plan and I still work at something each day to get to our goal. I’m doing the same thing she is—maintaining one home while preparing for life in our new one, being particular about all of the little necessary details, and building the vision day by day. She has the right approach: you just keep working and doing what you’re supposed to do and never quit even when the storms pop up. Things start to take shape. You eventually see your vision come to life. I’ve learned by watching her that the best structures take time and hard work, but eventually all of that pays off.
Her beautiful nest is almost complete and it’s an intricate structure that will be perfect for her to lay her eggs. I’m so excited to see the eggs in the coming days and then to see the hatchlings that she has so lovingly prepared for. I’ll be able to watch her feed and nurture them, and eventually witness her teaching her fledglings how to fly so they can go out into the world and repeat this nest-building process on their own and continue the amazing cycle of life. I’m not as far along in my housing plan, but there has been so much inspiration I have drawn from this little bird; she inspires me to keep working hard to create my perfect nest—little by little, twig by twig, for all the little creatures who will need to be rescued and housed in a safe and loving home with us. It’ll all come together!
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This bird looks very much like a Canyon Wren. If that is true, she is a long, long way from home. I really want to know what she is so I can learn more about her. Stay tuned.
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This bird looks very much like a Canyon Wren. If that is true, she is a long, long way from home. I really want to know what she is so I can learn more about her. Stay tuned.
What a Sight!
7/18/11
One benefit of being awake when the rest of the world sleeps is being able to see nocturnal creatures like this:
I found this beauty during a 3 a.m. walk at the wood's edge with Comet. I was spellbound!
I love this shot with the 3/4 Full Thunder moon in the background (OK, well now you know that I am a bona fide science nerd, as if I could really hide it for too long LOL).
This is an adult female Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). <---Proof of aforementioned geekdom. They are sexually dimorphic, so I can tell she's a female by her color and size. You can't tell from the photo, but she was about 4" across in her wingspan. She has spent the winter burrowed underground as a pupa, and she probably just emerged and will try to mate after midnight tonight. It's a little early for her emergence I think. I've usually seen them later in the summer. August typically.
The females don't fly until after they mate, so she will likely wistfully wait on this pine tree for her lover to appear and make love to her (LOL! I feel really funny typing that). The males can sense the female scent and will fly for miles to get some action. It's kinda sad though--once they mate they go on to die. They only live about a week, so it has to be a quick and passionate courtship. The adults do not eat. Their mouths are vestigial and they don't really have a digestive tract. That's very interesting! Well, at least to me... The eggs will hatch in about two weeks and continue the cycle of life.
Their populations are in decline because of pesticide use and people trying to keep them as pets for their kids to witness the lifecycle miracle. Light pollution also causes their numbers to decline. They are attracted to light and predators such as bats, racoons, and birds can easily locate them.
I'm simply fascinated by the wild night time critters I find here where I am living. What a treat to be able to see her.
One benefit of being awake when the rest of the world sleeps is being able to see nocturnal creatures like this:
The females don't fly until after they mate, so she will likely wistfully wait on this pine tree for her lover to appear and make love to her (LOL! I feel really funny typing that). The males can sense the female scent and will fly for miles to get some action. It's kinda sad though--once they mate they go on to die. They only live about a week, so it has to be a quick and passionate courtship. The adults do not eat. Their mouths are vestigial and they don't really have a digestive tract. That's very interesting! Well, at least to me... The eggs will hatch in about two weeks and continue the cycle of life.
Their populations are in decline because of pesticide use and people trying to keep them as pets for their kids to witness the lifecycle miracle. Light pollution also causes their numbers to decline. They are attracted to light and predators such as bats, racoons, and birds can easily locate them.
I'm simply fascinated by the wild night time critters I find here where I am living. What a treat to be able to see her.
Renewal
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Here are some shots I took today after the downpour of rain. More to add to my collection of photos of foliage with dewdrops and raindrops. It's my most recurring theme in my photography. I think I love it so much because renewal seems to represent in each photo.
Ice Storm
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I'm a nature girl who loves all seasons (or maybe just one fool enough to go walking outside to behold the beauty in the middle of an ice storm). The foliage outside reminded me of a crystal forest as the plants became encased in ice.
I know, here we go again with the drops. This time they are ice, but I do have a thing for the drops!
This seed pod looks like it is home to three rough diamonds.
I love the curve in this photo.
I'm a nature girl who loves all seasons (or maybe just one fool enough to go walking outside to behold the beauty in the middle of an ice storm). The foliage outside reminded me of a crystal forest as the plants became encased in ice.
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