I came home from work a few months ago, a bit bleary-eyed and mind-fried. As I was walking up to my front door, which was dark in shadow due to the setting sun, a panicked bird of some sort flew out into my face and just scared the mess out of me. I had to sit down right then and there to collect myself and stem the near heart attack that the foul creature had brought about in me.
The next morning I discovered that a dove had built her nest in a sheltered portion of the rain gutter under the eave next to my door. Over the next few weeks we slowly came to terms with each other and developed a bit of trust. I learned to open the door slowly and quietly when I was leaving and to approach with care upon my return home. My bird guest went from flapping away wildly whenever it sensed me, to warily readying herself for flight, to contented acceptance of my presence.
Apart from occasionally resettling herself in her nest to keep her eggs warm and protected, she sat like a determined sentinel in her place. Day in, day out. Always there and following her protective instinct to the letter. It really was quite amazing and beautiful. About a month or so after she moved in, I came to expect the sound of the chirps and squawks of her new brood. A reward for her diligence and patience. The other day though, I came home and my bird friend was gone. Her nest and eggs abandoned. Clearly something had gone wrong and she sensed it and moved on. I suspect that there is a powerful lesson here. I wish her well and will miss her trill outside my door.
8 comments:
Does that mean you will be taking to sitting on the nest until the eggs hatch? :) Gotta wonder what spooked her to abandon her eggs.
Mmm...eggs.
I think that she sensed that the eggs were hard-boiled and never would hatch. She was nesting for an usually long time.
awww this makes me a bit sad...i hope nothing got the eggs or fouled them...its funny thought what you get used to in your life...smiles.
It kind of left me a bit sad too, especially after how diligent she had been in sitting there without wavering for so long.
Ricky - your comment shows up in my in-box but not here. But it seems that you are saying that if I had some bacon to add to this scenario, all would be well and good in breakfast land?
A wren built her nest right outside our bedroom window in a windowbox - the nest was shaped like a cornucopia - so you couldn't see inside it where she'd laid her eggs. We were able to watch her feed the babies after they'd hatched, and I just happened to be looking out the window one morning when 4 brown streaks flew past - all 4 babies leaving the nest at the same time. Neat to see!
Cool beans!
Post a Comment