out in the backyard, an old mesquite tree. It was standing tall and proud............it's leaf filled branches opened wide.........saying "welcome to your new country home!"....
when we first moved in.
Through the years, it has allowed us to swing lazily underneath it...........in the late afternoons, while it held our hammock. How many times I have looked up at its leaves and rough bark.
It has been the nursery every year for a family of woodpeckers, who have carved their way deep into it's trunk. It has weathered severe hot west Texas winds and violent thunderstorms.
Finally one day last year, it gave in to life's unrelenting harshness and broke. I remember how sad I felt when I walked out and discovered half of it lying in the yard. But this past few weeks, I have noticed a couple of Mocking birds, swooping down upon any cat or creature that happens to walk anywhere near the tree. In my late afternoon ,outside work, I have watched the female flying in and out of the top of the tree, with an insect in her beak, while her mate sits close by, keeping guard.
This morning, I got out the ladder and quietly climbed up to the top of the tree and 3 little bright yellow beaks opened up to me!
Then they heard their mother's warning , quickly laid down, sticking close together. As I was trying to take a good photo, the male bird was whizzing past my head, making my hair fly up with each fly by...............such a brave little heart!
And this is the brave Mother...............inches close to me...............so close, I could have touched her......................giving me the scolding of a lifetime.............in a language that all mothers can understand...................no matter what species. How about you? I am sure by now you are all surrounded with the chirps and whistles of the songs of many birds. What kind of birds do you have in your area? I would love to hear!
22 comments:
We have had cardinals and blue bird families this Spring. Just this morning a loud-mouthed wren was on the porch checking out the top of the columns to build a nest! Your tree is lovely - it's funny, I blogged about an old home place tree yesterday! Enjoy your weekend Kathleen.
Wow, I always thought that mesquite was a bush, not a tree! We get three types of woodpeckers, downy, hoary and pileated; wrens, cow birds, robins, rose-breasted grosbeaks (my favourites), cedar waxwings, hawk owls, great grey owls and a whole bunch of smaller song birds, like chickadees, nuthatches, plus tree swallows, that all nest in the area.
oh...i can just see it swooping!
:-)
How sweet! Mamas are always so protective, no matter how small! We have all kinds of birds, but I think my favorite are the whippoorwills. I love hearing their song at night!
Hiya, greetings. Thanks for a brill read and a sweet photo of the babies! Now i know what is a mocking bird!!we have starlings, all sorts of tits, jackdaws, pheasants (he and recently she), wren, wood pigeons, goldfinch, reedbunting(in winter)house martins are nesting in the upper ledge, a greater spotty woodpecker.. Blessings
We have a great old mesquite tree in our front yard. Over the years there have been branch losses and I know that at some point there will be "the big one". I have harvested the beans and ground them into flower and watched local wildlife adorn it. I like your post.
Kathleen,
What a lovely posting about the baby birds. There's life in that old tree. Yes, we had some bluebird hatchings recently in the hollow fence post. How exciting to peep at them while Mother Bluebird perched on the power line and carefully kept watch over her young. I do love trees.
Mothers are the same the world over, aren't we! Anything to protect our young.
We have a plague of mourning doves around here. They hog the feeders and won't let the smaller birds have anything.
Just found your blog-love it! I also have Mockingbirds and Western Kingbirds. Both are very protective of their territory and nests. The dog and cat run for cover!
I also live in West Texas-well, actually the South Plains area and today it is hot!!!! 105! Have a hose dripping for my birds..killdeer, doves and finches included.
Blessings!
CottonLady
Mama and papa birds take good care watching over their little ones. I admire their bravery and dedication. Loved the photo of the nest, Kathleen. Even when broken, that tree is still useful and providing a safe haven.
That is so much fun!! We have a wood duck that nests in our Maple tree by our back door.
Hi Kathleen! I have (rather HAD) mockingbirds in the crape myrtle under my kitchen window - I posted a picture of the four babies a few days ago. Sadly they either fell or jumped out of their nest yesterday and I found only one of them in the front yard today. It was dead. I don't know where the others are. We do have lots of cats that live around us... Sad...
Mockers are strong parents - I've seen them take after big crows who had been raiding their nests. Lots of Phoebes, cardinals, bluejays, roadrunners, robins, wrens and woodpeckers here in North Central Texas.
You are brave to be on a ladder with mad bird swooping at your head. I had a bird hit me in the head once. Very scary!
I use to have a robin nest right outside our door
so fun to watch the babies
On a ladder taking pics of the babies..I just love you!!!
We had an idigo bunting at one of the feeders last week and yesterday a red headed woodpecker landed on the feeder and it swung so fast from his body weight I think it scared him he is a regular around here. The buntings are rarely seen I was so excited!
Pats favorite time of the day...sitting on my screened porch, watching the sun come up and waiting for the morning and the birds to stop by. Second fav..evening at the feeders.
We have many migrating birds here in the Klamath basin in Oregon. We feed the red wing blackbirds, yellow head blackbirds,robins,scrub jays,mag pies, Northern flickers,sparrows (many)and dove& quail. Mackingbirds,and cowbirds. We have mallard ducks on our pond, an ocassional herron.
Often see HAwks of many breeds,Bald eagles and white pelicans, Grebes, Since moving here we have enjoyed everyones early morning & evening calls & songs.
Oh Kathleen- that's wonderful that the old tree is still a haven for the little birds...
We have wrens in the barn and purple martins, too- they will let you know very quickly you're coming too close for comfort!!
Such adorable babies!
A few years ago, I was actually attacked (a la Hitchcock's "The Birds") by an angry blue jay because I dared step out the front door when her babies were fledging nearby.
Such neat pics of the birds. Sorry the tree gave way-sounds like it gave you lots of good memories!
Beautiful! I have had swooping birds...swallows mainly. They can be a bit terrifying. Great shots!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
You have a beautiful family calling your place home. Enjoyed the photo's.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
Sweet post! I love spring and all the goodness it brings! Thinking of you Kathllen!
Hugs,
Maryjane
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