I had thrown out what was left of the grandchildren's breakfast - waffles. Probably with eyes bigger than their tummies they had asked for two. One managed all but a half and the other only one. I almost put them in the garbage can - then wondered whether our neighbourly noisy miners might find them a tasty morsel. Before I could change my mind I threw them on to the lawn just a few metres from my kitchen window. Since the babies left the nest a couple of weeks or so ago, I have thrown the odd end of bread out and it's quickly been gobbled up by about 5 or 6 of these birds who frequent the trees growing on the back fence line of our place.
The chirping made me look up as I made myself my morning cuppa. Mum was there on the grass, pecking for all her worth - in flew another - I was surprised to see her hop over to it and begin feeding it - even though it now looked about the same size as her. Quickly another, somewhat fluffy in appearance, flew down as well, and began protesting at his sibling being fed. Mum obliging, shared her mouthful. A few seconds later another adult joined the trio - presumably Dad - and joined in. It seems these now big babies, are no worse off for their ordeal of a couple of weeks ago when they lamely flew out of the nest for the the first time. Competent flyers now, they still seem ill at ease at landing on anything but their tree branch but did come in for a neat one on the grass near where the food was lying. Despite the fact that both of them were able to feed themselves off the grass, both parents were very attentive and made sure each of them had their share.
Amazing stuff when one takes the time to observe. Often we are so busy in our day to day lives that these little blessings pass us by. I have again this morning given thanks to my Heavenly Father for all his wonderful creation - and for the fact that I am able to see it and gain insight and blessing from these little creatures and their day to day comings and goings.
Thank you Lord!
Monday, December 20, 2004
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Joyful sighting
I was standing at the kitchen window last night when mother bird screeched down from a high tree over the back of our fence, landing on the grass where I had thrown the end of a bread roll. She gobbled hungrily at first then took a large piece and flew off with it. I followed her with my eyes and saw her land about 2/3 of the way up a wattle tree, landing right next to two young.
I was feeling such joy. They were 'our' babies alright. Their feathers had grown and tails about an inch longer than when they were in the nest. At that time they were just stubby little stumps of feathers.
They had survived their ordeal. Obviously mother had found them and was continuing to feed them.
As I watched them from my hidden viewing point, I marvelled at the way this bird had sought out her young, even when I had thought there was no hope they would survive, she persisted, found them and continued to nurture, feed and teach them.
How much like our Heavenly Father this is - when we are lost, or just simply go the wrong way, He seeks us out, cradles us in His arms and comforts, forgives, blesses! I am so blessed and so grateful for His love for me.
I was feeling such joy. They were 'our' babies alright. Their feathers had grown and tails about an inch longer than when they were in the nest. At that time they were just stubby little stumps of feathers.
They had survived their ordeal. Obviously mother had found them and was continuing to feed them.
As I watched them from my hidden viewing point, I marvelled at the way this bird had sought out her young, even when I had thought there was no hope they would survive, she persisted, found them and continued to nurture, feed and teach them.
How much like our Heavenly Father this is - when we are lost, or just simply go the wrong way, He seeks us out, cradles us in His arms and comforts, forgives, blesses! I am so blessed and so grateful for His love for me.
Two flown the coop
I didn't realise it was as long as it has been since I wrote in this journal. Oh well - time flies when you're having fun - or so they say!
I got home one afternoon and took a peek into the nest as I usually did - I noticed something not quite right - the second time in the short life of these babies. Doesn't this bird mother have any sense at all? Fancy building a nest anchored with polyester twine! One baby had got a piece caught around it's tongue and was trying in vain to move it. All that seemed to be happening was a more severe tangle - and I could envisage a tongue being ripped out or at least sliced.
I gently pulled on it but it seemed to be getting tighter. Once again this human needed to come to the rescue - so out again with the kitchen scissors and with a couple of snips, the bird was freed. All this while 3 adults were swirling and diving towards me as I stood near the nest. I wasn't afraid that they would hurt me but I was concerned about the closeness of them as they flew in a wide arc nearby.
By the time I'd freed this baby, the sibling had become quite unsettled. For days now they have both perched themselves right on the very edge of the nest and even on occasions wobbled about on the twigs close by. It suddenly took off from the gardenia bush and flew just a few metres away hiding behind a fence post. I rescued it and put it back but by this time the injured baby had also taken flight. This time in the opposite direction, landing under the outdoor table. Again humanly rescued and placed back in the nest all was quiet for a few minutes. All of a sudden with a caucophony of baby squarks, they both took off. One, flying for all it's worth over the expanse of pool water, suddenly came to a halt, hitting itself against the fence on the other side. By this time the adults were not only the 3 usual carers, but others had joined in with the urgent squarking which could be heard quite some distance away. By now I was fearful that these babies were not going to survive. They were too small to fly far and if they got outside the parent's jurisdiction would probably starve.
I hunted for quite some time finally finding one under the lip of the pool. Gently lifting it I transported it back to the nest. The other by now I feared had gone under the fence to bushland behind. One safely tucked in I hiked over to the bushy area and managed to find baby number 2 perched in a small tree. Retrieving it to a cardboard box for transporting back to the nest I proceeded back towards home, it squarking all the way, and adults following with wild shrieks - indignant that I had removed this baby from their sight.
Eventually putting baby number 2 back in the nest, baby number one became flighty again and both took off. By now it was twilight and I knew I would have no chance of finding them in the half light. I just had to resign myself that they had 'escaped.'
No sign of them in the morning, but adults are flying close to the trees and giving the occasional squark when I poke my head out the door as if to say accusingly 'you lost our babies!'
I got home one afternoon and took a peek into the nest as I usually did - I noticed something not quite right - the second time in the short life of these babies. Doesn't this bird mother have any sense at all? Fancy building a nest anchored with polyester twine! One baby had got a piece caught around it's tongue and was trying in vain to move it. All that seemed to be happening was a more severe tangle - and I could envisage a tongue being ripped out or at least sliced.
I gently pulled on it but it seemed to be getting tighter. Once again this human needed to come to the rescue - so out again with the kitchen scissors and with a couple of snips, the bird was freed. All this while 3 adults were swirling and diving towards me as I stood near the nest. I wasn't afraid that they would hurt me but I was concerned about the closeness of them as they flew in a wide arc nearby.
By the time I'd freed this baby, the sibling had become quite unsettled. For days now they have both perched themselves right on the very edge of the nest and even on occasions wobbled about on the twigs close by. It suddenly took off from the gardenia bush and flew just a few metres away hiding behind a fence post. I rescued it and put it back but by this time the injured baby had also taken flight. This time in the opposite direction, landing under the outdoor table. Again humanly rescued and placed back in the nest all was quiet for a few minutes. All of a sudden with a caucophony of baby squarks, they both took off. One, flying for all it's worth over the expanse of pool water, suddenly came to a halt, hitting itself against the fence on the other side. By this time the adults were not only the 3 usual carers, but others had joined in with the urgent squarking which could be heard quite some distance away. By now I was fearful that these babies were not going to survive. They were too small to fly far and if they got outside the parent's jurisdiction would probably starve.
I hunted for quite some time finally finding one under the lip of the pool. Gently lifting it I transported it back to the nest. The other by now I feared had gone under the fence to bushland behind. One safely tucked in I hiked over to the bushy area and managed to find baby number 2 perched in a small tree. Retrieving it to a cardboard box for transporting back to the nest I proceeded back towards home, it squarking all the way, and adults following with wild shrieks - indignant that I had removed this baby from their sight.
Eventually putting baby number 2 back in the nest, baby number one became flighty again and both took off. By now it was twilight and I knew I would have no chance of finding them in the half light. I just had to resign myself that they had 'escaped.'
No sign of them in the morning, but adults are flying close to the trees and giving the occasional squark when I poke my head out the door as if to say accusingly 'you lost our babies!'
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