While the rest of the world probably thinks this little nest of skin and scraggly feathers is exciting, I'm holding my breath. Baby Bird Season is nature at its best/worst and after too many years of BBS, I have just come to dread it. And the whole reason I don't like it? Because it just gives me a few more beings to worry about.
When you are a cat owner, you notice things like nests and baby birds on your property. And while my kitties are typically pretty good about not going after the birds, every so often, one of the two of them finds a baby bird who has fallen from his nest. Sometimes they are alive, but most often, they are not--and I stand there heartbroken.
My too-close neighbor has these god-awful overgrown junipers on our property line and every year some wacky bird decides this is the place to raise a family. Ugh. And right below those icky prickly bushes is some rocks, a bit of cement, and lots of dog poo. And whoever happens to fall (or get pushed) from that little nest doesn't stand a chance of survival, unfortunately.
It's when I find Hobbes (or Grace) standing there at the fence, looking and poking through the wires that I know it's happened again. And sure enough, it is then that I hate Baby Bird Season all over again.
I try to be excited and positive, really. I go out and peek at them and ooh and ahhh, and then snap some photos. But I try not to get emotionally attached because I know they have a long way to go yet. These little ones still have to leave the nest AND not get eaten by those below--cats and dogs included. Yes, Hobbes will be banned to the house for a few days while they learn to fly, but I can't speak for the rest of the 'hood. I guess everyone doesn't care so much about baby birds as I do.
And then we have to deal with yappin' mother birds, announcing all over town, LOUDLY, that her baby is in the yard. Criminy, Colin nearly got his eyeballs pecked out last year with some wacky robin protecting her baby. Those mom birds are extra annoying. (That's kinda the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it?)
So, while I'm all about a nest full of the promise of life and all that, I'm also freaked out about the prospect of keeping these little ones alive.
And as you can see, I'm not attached to these little ones at all....
21 comments:
Yeah, I would be crazy worried in that situation. George thinks I'm crazy to worry about every living thing that crosses my path - that's why I don't watch nature shows - I know it's the way of the world, the food chain and all of that, but I don't want to see it or hear about it ::hands over eyes - La La La La::
I would be worried about the baby birds too. I'm like Grace in that I worry about all creatures, well, except snakes!
OMGoodness, such responsibility! Maybe you can put an air mattress on top of the stupid too-close neighbor plant that has a soft slide down into a cat-proof contraption. Hmmm? I'm no help, am I? Well, the picture is lovely and I hope the babies survive!
BBS here, too; and that Mama robin is one fierce babe. Wish she'd shuffle Junior off the premises. Have to watch Cookie and Birdie to ensure that they don't "get together" so to speak.
We have the baby bunny massacre in these parts-two yards so far.
I saw a baby bunny the other day. I am just waiting for it to be presented to me.
I will be so very sad.
LOL ~ yup ~ I am thinking all protective mothers are most likely annoying... except me... I'm sure the over protectiveness I have for my son doesn't annoy anyone... hahahahaha!!!! ;)
Happy Weekend friend!
xo Catherine
I'm with you regarding outdoor kitties and baby birds. Our tree branches are so high up that hopefully no cat can reach them but I to hold my breath!
Gosh, I certainly did miss the blogger disappearance act being sick for the week...didn't even realize anything was amiss; a good thing?
You really take every little wisp of life so seriously.
If it isn't one thing it's another. We had a birds nest in one of our bushes a couple years ago. I had so much fun keeping an eye on it and watching them grow. I was really sad when they flew from the nest. I kept hoping they would use the nest again but I guess momma bird spread the word that some wacko with a camera was a nosy neighbor
Grace--Yeah, I don't like nature shows either--too sad. And I don't like it all playing out right next to the house either. I almost wish I didn't see them.
Beaded Tail--Your comment reminds me of the movie Pee Wee's Big Adventure. At the end, he finds a pet store on fire and he tries to save all the animals. He keeps running by the snakes, hoping to avoid them, but in the end, he saves them too--even though he was really, really creeped out by them. Somehow, I think you would be the same, pally. :)
Petula--I've just got to disconnect and try not to pay too much attention to them--that is the only way to not worry. Nature is brutal, but I don't want to be a witness to it.
Vanilla--Those moms can be fierce! :) Yeah, I have to watch for baby birds because under that nest are two stupid dogs. I don't want to think what they would do.
Helene--Oh no!!! Don't tell me stuff like that, Helene!
Pricilla--What is with you guys and the bunnies???! EEEK! That would make me really sad. They scream, you know. I learned that many years ago unfortunately.
Catherine--Oh, I'm guilty of it! That said, if we don't look out for our young, who will? Joe says I'm a mother pig. They are really protective!
Tracy--I hope you are feeling better! Nah, you didn't miss a thing. :) I liked it because I didn't feel behind on comments and such because everyone was down. Whew!
Sharkey--Serious is rarely the word for me, but I am very passionate about some things. I am passionate about the creatures that inhabit the earth around me--I just feel responsible for them for some reason. I wish I didn't feel that way sometimes.
Ann--I took a few photos, but I didn't want to scare her off. I also don't want to draw attention to the nest. But I do admit to looking up every so often when I'm walking that way. :)
Awww. Isn't that tweet?
Last year we lost a baby hummingbird that we had watched for weeks. I was a complete mess. We have a new nest above our kitchen window now and I keep swearing I am not going to get attached. I am not going to get involved.
It's not really working,,
I worry about that stuff too, and I know you have a particularly sensitive heart for animals. I hope they do well!
I found a baby bird on he ground one year and actually brought the little guy to a rapture sanctuary. It was not a rapture, it was a sparrow or something equally common but they took him anyway.
The cycle of nature brings me to my knees
It is sad when nature takes it's course. I don't like seeing the baby birds born because the cats love to get those babies.I don't know what can be done. You can't forbid kitties to go outside. So the birds just need to take better care of their young-uns.
Chuck--:)
Betty--Ugh. That would have made me sad too. You try, but you still get connected. I don't name my frogs or fish for that reason, but my heart breaks every time I lose one.
Violet--I'm trying not to look too much at them. The only thing I have to do is watch for when they leave the nest. I don't want them flying into the mouths of my kitties. Then I would feel REALLY bad!
Tracy--Those baby birds are tough because you don't know if the mom is nearby or not. I'm glad they took care of your little guy for you. :) Yeah, I'm not so big on Mother Nature.
Marg--Well, my kitties will be kept inside while the babies are on the ground. I can't let them die on my shift. But, I can't control the neighbor cats, dogs or cars unfortunately. :(
You are so soft hearted. You are not personally responsible for the lives of those baby birds. Now that I've said that, I'll tell you I feel that way too.
Our birds seem to do better than yours, but the dog keeps away the cats.
Thanks for visiting.
My cat died 3 years ago but she was an indoor kitty. The dog, however, brings me things, dead things to be exact and baby birds are her fortay :/
She's also brought me dead squirrels :/
I am forever protecting nature in our yard. There are "our" squirrels who grew up in the tree condo and fatten up at the base of the bird feeder. They know a good spot when they are born into one. They get chased by our cat and the neighbor's dog, but I think they enjoy tormenting them. I am always banging on windows, yelling out the door or running outside to "warn" them of sure demise. I do the same with bunnies, moles, chipmunks and other creatures that are sure to eat any vegetables we try to grow without a second thought. And if one of them meets their maker, I send Andy outside to give them a final resting place outside of my line of sight.
Marilynne--I'm thinking it is a "mom" thing. I think we watch out for the world--birds included.
blueyes--Blech! I don't think I would like that very much. Especially the squirrel! EEEK!
Bumbles--Oh yeah, that is a good job for the husband, isn't it? Last year, I found a decapitated rabbit in the yard and I gave Joe the honor of getting rid of it. I was fine until he yelled "I can't find the head!....... Oh! Got it!" I was a goner.
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