The Birds at River Oaks Drive

The birds here at my new house at first might look the same,

rats with wings, fleeting things, although not quite so tame.

They may fly, sing, soar and squawk and even sound the same,

But the birds back at the old place, put these new ones to shame.

Yes, they may be more colorful, plentiful and varied.

But I'd trade these yellow finches for the way the robin carried

her dignity, her poise, her noise, the way she never tarried;

building a nest on my back porch for the lover she had married.    

These new birds live in the woods and come soaring down for seed.

They play and fuss and sometimes fight, all to feed their greed.

The blue birds chase the cardinals who have gathered here to feed,

They chase them off but can't eat now, with the finches filling their needs.

They remind me of corporate raiders, and the plots they often hatch,

But instead of penthouse suites they make their plans from a nest of thatch. 

So I really miss the old birds, the ones I used to watch. 

Though the new ones might be colorful, they're simply not a match....

The Lovers

The weather in North Carolina at this time of year is unpredictable, at best. It can be 29 degrees in the morning, with frost covering the lawns, and by noon it’s 60, and spring like. Often, by 5 PM, it can get as high as 80! With these fluctuations come unpredictable things, such as sudden late afternoon rainstorms. Just like the one we had the other day. And after the rain has ended there is usually a chill in the air.

That’s how I believe she got there, racing ahead of the storm and looking for a safe place for herself and her lover.

Then she spied it- the flapping doorway to warmth and shelter. It was on the side of a house, located in an ordinary sub-division, in an ordinary town. She made a bee line for it, just as the first peals of thunder were making themselves known, with the wind beginning to gust, almost in verification of her fears.

He followed her inside the flapping doorway, a bit afraid to go too far, but also afraid of letting her go in alone. And then again, there was the storm to consider. Best to get inside and stay warm and dry.

He lost sight of her almost immediately, as she charged in ahead of him and into the darkness, further than he would have dared. He stopped following, waiting to hear her call to him, but no sound came. He waited until sunup the following day, when he could see a bit more inside.

His heart was racing as he trod the path she had taken only hours before. Where could she have gone? Surely she would not have left him. They had been together for quite a while, and the thought of her sudden disappearance was unthinkable to him. Still, he ventured further inside the darkness which belied the full daylight he was leaving behind.

That’s when he found her, lying on her side, at the bottom of the shaft, cold and dead to the touch. Still, he called to her, as if his song could awaken her from this slumber.

And that’s when I first heard the commotion, dismissing it as some slight annoyance, which, given time, would go away. But the mysterious sounds continued , until, no longer able to concentrate, I was obliged to go and investigate the matter.

The sounds were coming from the area of the laundry room, within the walls it seemed, at first. But soon I realized that the commotion was coming from inside of the dryer vent tube, that long cylindrical coil that lets the heat escape from the appliance. I had to take the door off of its hinges and move the dryer out to get to it.

Using a screwdriver to loosen the coil, I had Sue standing by with a pillowcase. Unhooking the coil and removing it I was struck by two things; the first was the beautiful blue bird with brown chest feathers, obviously dead; and the second thing, her lover, now silent as he watched me through the opening. He was almost relieved to have someone there, to share in his grief.

We took the cold and silent bird outside for burial in the garden flowerbed, which has not yet begun to bloom. When we went back into the house, her partner was flitting from room to room, searching for a way out. Opening the sliding doors to the rear of the house, I gently followed him, herding him towards the outdoors. After he was safely out of the house we interred his lost lover in the flower bed. This was sad enough, but the worst was yet to come.

Several hours later, while writing this story, I went outside to photograph the place where we had buried the beautiful blue bird. And there, on the branch of a nearby tree, sat her lover, gazing at the spot where we had buried his heart.

The Cardinals Nest

For whatever reason, our homes have always attracted various animals. Squirrels, doves, wrens, lizards, turtles, frogs, and even Midnight the cat, have all made themselves comfortable with us over the years. But the latest addition is really exceptional.

A family of cardinals has just taken up lodgings in the creeping vine which grows between the back porch and the downspout. They are only feet from me when I sit out back to play music, or just to lie in the sun. I usually find the chirping of birds distracting, especially if I can’t see them, but this family; let’s call them a Council of Cardinals; are exceptionally entertaining.

They are currently in the process of moving in and building their nest, and it seems that everyone in the family has a job to do. So far as I can tell, the family consists of three; so far no sign of Papa. So, basically it’s Mama and her two hatchlings doing all the work.

They fly in with material and then turn right back around after dropping it off. After several sorties they all congregate inside the vine, atop the rain gate , and then there is  incessant chirping as they each debate their own visions about how the nest should be constructed. In the end, I’m sure, Mama will win out.

They’re still a bit wary of me; it’s probably the banging of the screen door as I go in and out which startles them. They are probably wondering who the hell I think I am, living on the side of their new home? But they tolerate me. After all, the cat is friendly and when the bird feeder next door at Chip and Anne’s is empty, they can always wing over to Midnight's bowl for some cat food. In a unique sort of way, it’s a self-sustaining eco-system. It should last forever. Well; as long as I supply the cat food.

If you enjoyed this story about the wildlife in my backyard, you might also enjoy this true, but sad story from 2011;

http://robertwilliamsofbrooklyn.blogspot.com/2011/03/lovers.html

Midnight and the Grasshopper

Midnight has been hanging around our house for a bit over 2 years now. He has weathered the heat of 2 summers, along with the biting cold of 2 winters. Honestly, I don’t know how he does it. Basically, he’s homeless and relies upon Sue and I to provide him with the dry food and tuna fish on which he subsists. He has no instinct when it comes to killing something to eat, so I am locked into this relationship with him. After all, it was I who fed him in the first place. What’s that saying about “if you save someone’s life you are responsible for it?” Well, I’m living it.

Midnight makes friends very easily. He has no one except for me and Sue to play with; meaning that he’s pretty much on his own. So, he has some unusual friends for a cat. There’s this grasshopper for starters; which he enjoys swatting with his paw. Notice how his claws; which are not trimmed; are curled in so he can play with his friend without inflicting any damage. No matter though, the grasshopper is free to hop away at any time, leaving Midnight to search for it in the bushes. He also plays with the little green frogs in this same manner.

Then there’s the matter of the birds; with whom he has become overly friendly; allowing them to eat from his dry food bowl, and even take some home with them; while he sits, or lays, only inches away watching them come and go like planes at JFK. He knows more food is coming, and besides, he doesn't pay for it. But even if he did he would probably still share his food with his feathered friends. I think he’s hoping that they will someday teach him how to fly.

Here he is, looking for a cricket in the thicket...

"Birds In the Spring" - A Silly Symphony Cartoon (1933)

Gather the kids and watch spring unfold in this old Disney cartoon form 1933. The Silly Symphony series of cartoons may not come as near to perfection as the Max and Dave Fleischer cartoons, but they have a charm of their own. Additionally; not being tied to a series of “static” characters, as in the Merrie Melodies or Looney Toons series; these cartoons had a wider range of subjects which they explored vividly.

In this cartoon the little birdies learn to deal with their young lives, while at the same time their elders are trying to teach them the lessons they, themselves, have learned over the years. Mother Nature is in full force as the youngsters learn that all is not as sweet as it may first look; but, with a bit of wisdom, and some luck; things usually work out in the end. This is a great cartoon for little kids like me.

Reflections at the Vance Hotel

This photo is an optical illusion. I took it the other day while Sue and I were driving through Statesville. We were coming down Route 115, headed south, when we stopped to look at the old Vance Hotel. It has been recently purchased by the City of Statesville, after sitting empty for several years, but I’m not sure what the plans are for its use. I have previously posted about this hotel, about 2 years ago, when they were selling various artifacts from the rooms. Sue and I purchased a vase which had graced the mantel in the Presidential Suite where Ronald Reagan had stayed during his visit in the 1980’s.

The picture was taken from outside, looking in, and the red building you see in the background is actually behind me. It’s the old Statesville City Hall, which now houses the Zoning and Planning Department for the city. I spent many a day in that gothic looking structure, pulling permits for different jobs in Iredell County. I have always loved the way it looked and thought that this was a perfect opportunity to get it in the same photo as the bird. I was surprised that it came out so well.

Here is a picture of that same building, taken simply by turning around, albeit from a slightly different angle.

Bird Fight

                        
I was eating breakfast on the back porch when I became aware of the screeching of these 2 birds as they flew about the yard. Upon closer examination I realized that they were engaged in a life or death struggle over another, presumably female, bird. There was also the bird feeder to be considered, as the victor would be the one claiming ownership of this coveted spot.

They came down to the ground, battling one another like prize fighters. A left wing to the beak, and even some claws were involved. From there they went on to some vicious pecking of one another, so I lowered the camera and tried to part them.

I got the two to break off the engagement, but they continued to circle one another, looking for a good opportunity to continue the fight. The object of their affections had, by this point, flown away, presumably seeking more sane company; or maybe just another bird feeder; perhaps one with less drama.

And so the winner now sat all alone on the fence, bewildered by the lack of company. He was now the official winner of this amazing aerial combat which interrupted my breakfast, but gave me a ringside seat to the ongoing battle in nature.                                                                   

Turtles In the Park, with Birds.

There's a new park near us with a lake and a nature trail, so naturally, no pun intended, Sue and I took a ride over to look around a bit. The new park is called North Cabarrus Park and is located just off of Orphanage Road in the Northern part of the County, which is where we live. It was great. There were turtles everywhere. And I love turtles, just as much as my friend Iona does. We both shared a love of the docile little creatures when we were younger. As a matter of fact, it was she who inspired me to begin this blog 3 years ago this month. So, I couldn't help but think of her as we looked at the turtles, wandering and swimming on a beautiful day.

There were scores of them. As development has encroached on their natural environment, they have sought out the ponds and nature areas in order to survive. When Sue and I first moved to North Carolina in 1998, there were turtles everywhere. Frequently, I was forced to stop the car and rescue one that had become stuck on the centerline, head and legs in its shell, afraid to move either way. Those days are gone, and it has been about 3 years since I have even seen a turtle attempting to cross the road.

The turtles aren't alone in the pond and on the grassy areas of the park. They are accompanied by several families of swans and ducks, who wander freely about, unperturbed by the humans meandering in their midst. This preening bird was only too happy to pose for the camera. He looks a bit like George Clooney from a certain angle, particularly when he holds his head in a particular way.(That's a private joke.) But catching him at just the right moment proved a bit tricky, as he was very busy picking at his feathers with his bill.

And he has plenty of company; hanging out with the ducks can be fun. These two birds were together the entire time we were at the park. They even went swimming together at the same time, returning to shore later, as a team. I think there is something going on between them, though I'm not quite certain what it is. But they were awfully close, proving that "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime", just as Dean Martin sang so many years ago. Somethings, especially in nature, never really change.

Nature Preserves, and Wetland Areas, though scorned by some, are a necessary part of preserving our environment for the future. Without these parks the turtles, and the other inhabitants of our streams and ponds, would be hard pressed to remain a part of the eco-system which we all depend upon. And that's something we just can't afford to lose.