For the Birds...

A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of a nest that was little more than a few twigs that could have been blown away at the slightest breath of wind. And you know how windy it's been in Texas recently...

At the time, we assumed that it had been a trial run and that the bird had decided to nest elsewhere. However, we were wrong.  Each day the nest seemed to get more complete...

My husband, whose home office is at the front of the house, said he thought a Mockingbird might be nesting there because he kept seeing one go into the tree.

This morning, as I was out doing some gardening in the front garden, a Mockingbird flew out of the tree so I decided to see what was happening in the nest.  Using a stepladder I was able to peek in without touching or disturbing the nest.


I was thrilled at what I saw...

... four beautiful speckled eggs! 

So we're going to be "bird grandparents" again! 

It's funny how birds choose their nesting sites.  Our house sits between two vacant lots, both of which are completely natural, with trees, undergrowth and every thing else an expectant bird could want.


So where does she nest?

...In a small live oak sapling we planted a couple of years ago to replace the builder-planted one that had drowned due to lack of drainage. 

(If you look at the enlarged image, you can see the nest about half way up. Eye level to me when I'm standing on the ground)


Of course, that's no stranger than the wren nesting in a container on the back patio, five feet from where my husband and I sit and drink our wine on the weekends.


Speaking of the wren.... her babies have opened their eyes and are getting their plumage now.

I'm so glad we bought Cali, the stray cat, and her kittens indoors.  For the safety of all the birds in our garden!


Words and photographs by Jayne Wilson, Green and Serene, Jayne's Country Garden.

All In the Family

 I spent quite a bit of time outside on the patio over the July 4th weekend. It seemed to me that there was an awful lot of bird activity and noise and every time I would try to get on with my reading, something else would catch my attention.

On Saturday was a lot of activity under the pine tree.  During the week, the birds (or squirrels) had knocked two suet feeders down and there were lots of bit and pieces left behind on the ground that they were picking through.

Among my visitors was this male Northern Cardinal.

A little while later, I snapped this photo of what I thought was just a single mockingbird. It wasn't until I saw the photo enlarged on the computer screen that I realized that it was a mockingbird feeding its young. ( Please excuse the weeds around the tree, they didn't get pulled until the next day!)

I also got some photos of juvenile Northern cardinals scratching around in the border.

 On Monday, the mockingbirds were making a racket outside and as I watched them I realized that I was being granted another peek into the secret life of birds.

Over on the fence were some hungry juveniles - that's where the noise was coming from.

While they squawked noisily, dad (or is it mom?) was grabbing mouthfuls of suet from the suet feeder (much to the disgust of the red bellied and downy woodpeckers) and flying over to feed the hungry young.

Then it was back to the suet feeder to restock for the next round.

The mockingbird worked tirelessly for quite some time before the young ones quieted down and they all disappeared in the wild lot next to the house, presumably for a nap.

I was tired too, just watching them!


Words and photographs by Jayne Wilson, Green and Serene, Jayne's Country Garden.