A Bird's-Eye View

I have learned.

I have learned not to hang a fern on the front porch. 

The birds tear it up, trying to build a nest.

I have learned that no matter what type of 

hanging plant I have on the porch,

the birds will build a nest in it.

I have learned.

I have learned to hang a Wandering Jew on the front porch.

The birds are much kinder when building a nest.

This is the third summer that I have hung 

a Wandering Jew on the front porch.

Because I have learned.

It was just a day or two after hanging it that I noticed 

stems and leaves on the porch under the plant.

The birds were at work.

And then Momma Finch and Daddy Finch appeared regularly; calling, singing, and warning.

And a few times, William walked past the nest, 

on the way to his truck,  just as Momma bird was exiting.

I'm sure that we about drove those poor birds crazy with worry with all the checking we did on their babies.

 We got plenty of severe beak lashings from Daddy.

But then, just as suddenly as the eggs appeared,
there were fuzzy little babies!

And then wings to replace the fuzziness...

and then a nest that was becoming too small...

a nest bursting with delight!

I have learned.

I have learned that just as suddenly as there are eggs and then fuzzy babies, those feathered, delightful babies fly away.

Leaving just one...

And then, just as suddenly as they appeared, they are gone.

The nest is empty.

I don't know if birds reuse a nest or not.

This one may be the nursery for other babies this summer.

Or it may stay empty.

This is nature study at its finest.

This was meant to be a post that would be
more educational than emotional.
But as I write this, I am reminded that baby birds
are a lot like baby people.
In the blink of an eye.

Well...you know.