Friday, April 5, 2013

Springtime Nesting




We are still waiting 
for the last remaining
piles of shoveled or plowed snow 
to melt.








It's almost gone, 
though we did have 
snow flurries on Monday ---
 just in time for April Fool's Day
but they did not stick.







I went out last evening 
to pull and pack up
 evergreens left over
from our Christmas decor ---
OMG!!! So late!
(Don't judge!)

Normally, I would have had
my holiday pine garland 
around the front door taken down in
 January  
but this year I was unable to do so.


Why? You ask?


Close-up of garland in December

When I tried to remove it this year,
 I was dive-bombed 
by a couple of  little birds.

They had built a nest
in the greens 
and they DID not 
want me to get near it.

Each time someone would come to the front door,
during the last two months ...
I would quickly apologize 
for the "lovely"  
orange/brown dead greens
surrounding the entry door
and would explain why it was still there.
They would say
 " now I know why I was
 reliving a scene 
from an Alfred Hitchcock movie!"





So I decided to leave it hanging
to allow the little 
 house finches 
to have their babies.




Aren't they cuties?

  
So here were are in April,
 and there hasn't been
 much movement around the door
 for the last few days.

Trust me, I know this.

We have a faithful sentinal at the door
who has been keeping an eye on the situation.



Note to self, clean window!  


Max has left his post.
No longer watching their 
every little finchy move.


We're having a couple days 
of warm weather this week -- 
a balmy 55 degrees --  LOL.
Grabbed my ladder 
to see the nest for the first time. 
It was there but seemed to be abandoned.

Only one little unhatched
egg remained. Oh! How sad. 





No birds in sight.
Was safe on the ladder.

The other eggs must have hatched
 while we were gone last week 
for spring break. Missed all the tiny chirping and the
constant attention of mama and papa finch.





I am sure Max and Simba did not miss it!


   
I tucked the nest and lone egg into the closest pine just in case this little baby
"didn't get the memo" and just hasn't popped out yet! I know it won't happen, but just in case?

Forgot to share with you another nest
that we found in our Christmas tree this year.
When the tree was delivered,
the farmer showed us an added bonus
that was still tightly attached 
to the trunk and a branch!

I saved it. No eggs left in this one. It is BIG.










It is still very gray and dead
in the yard. Cannot wait to see that
gorgeous glorious green
that will start emerging from the earth
and the dark brown branches
in a matter of days.




The sun was going down as I took these last evening.






Early signs. Hostas.



Daffodils.



What's happening 
in your yard?

Got green?








31 comments:

Susan said...

No green in Minnesota, yet. I am really enjoying looking at the Spring magazines and seed catalogs!

Unknown said...

Mine is already green ( North Central Florida) Even though a late freeze 2 weeks ago, froze some of my already budding mini rose shrub :-(
The lilies are already blooming in a riot of oranges, reds and whites, and I forgot to divide the Africa Irises, so they are late.... Pink roses are bobbing their heard in the breeze.
Spring has sprung and the lawn has already had one mowing and in dire need of another.
:-) Enjoy your new signs of rebirth!
Hugs, Gee

Richard Cottrell said...

I had a bird build her nest in a wreath on my front door last spring. I opened the door for a guest and she flew into the house. Was a mess. I opened the door and chased her and she finally went out, nothing broke, only a small deposit left behind. Lucy it hit the floor, not some chair seat or curtain. Richard from My Old Historic House,

AntiqueChase said...

The nests ...be still my heart!!!

MarmePurl said...

Renewing is so wonderful. I wait while waiting for the buds to open here in the Old Dominion.

Courtenay@Creek Line House said...

Our Spring is in about the same stage as yours is. Almost, almost there, but not quite. I have some Winter greenery still sitting in an urn by my front door, but I have no excuse... other than the fact that the urn would be all sad and empty if I took it out because it's still just a little too cold for anything else.

Karen said...

Hi Alison,
Don't hate me because we live in Southern California! Actually, while we have green, the weather (for our neck of the woods) is quite cool. Still, I've been soldiering on in the garden. I think the entire nation has had a surprisingly cool start to spring.
I have a collection of nests that I've found, positively abandonded, and I treasure the hard work some little bird mommy and daddy put into their home.
Have a great weekend.
Karen

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Every year, birds nest in my ferns hanging on the back porch....the trouble is that It is so hard to water them!...but who can resist baby birds!...Love your nest and have a great weekend!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Alison!!!!!

You and I must live in the same band of airflow; we too are watching the last patches of snow melt, but this weekend, we are going to get a rain/snow mix! But it won't stick. Our trees look like yours, bare and waiting with their arms up high as if imploring the heavens to rain down some WARMTH! I was watching some darling little birds that looked interested in setting up housekeeping in my bird house, but they were a little too chubby for the hole! But soon there will be some life.

So good to see your comment today! I really love that first photo with the horse and the moss. Enjoy your weekend my dear! Anita

betsy said...

Well, central Illinois has lost the snow piles, but still not much green yet. The birds are definitely back, though.

Unknown said...

That's really cool about the nest! I will hope against hope that the other egg hatches. Although we're ahead of you temperature wise, it's been pretty cool here this week. I had planted daffodils; the tulips that came up instead (!!) have just about bloomed out, but I sure have enjoyed them.

Rose L said...

My yard is green, grass about 5 inches tall (gotta get a gardener!) and the flowering trees are blossoming! Soon will be out working in the backyard. Rain today.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

What a sweet post! I just love birds nests. Can't wait for spring.

Maria Glória said...

Gorgeous! Gorgeous!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Love the big kitty, Alison! Yes, green is popping up all over the yard. I think we will have to mow, next weekend.

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Allison,

What a wonderful story! And adorable little birds! The bird nests are a bonus!

I hope you have a little warm weather coming your way soon!

Elizabeth

Pamela Gordon said...

These are beautiful photos, Alison. The little finches are so sweet and I'd guess they have flown the nest now. Maybe they'll come back and raise a second family in the nest. Your other found nest looks like a robin's nest. They build around our house all the time and in the cedar tree next to our deck. They're fun to watch. It's still very chilly here too and very brown. Enjoy the weekend! Hugs, Pamela

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is such a pretty post, Alison! Love the nests and pretty signs of spring! We had a near 60 degree day yesterday, but today it was snowing again! I can only console myself with the fact that spring always comes...I just wish it would hurry up!

NanaDiana said...

Great post, Alison. I love all your nests and that sweet little egg is kind of sad. Do you know it is supposed to be good luck to have a bird's nest in your Christmas tree? have one that we use year after year. Blessings- xo Diana

debra @ 5th and state said...

in not too far away wayne, il., we are watching the last snow mounds disappear. but you had snow april 1st?
nothing here!
enjoy the 60 degrees on saturday!
debra

Andrea said...

Don't feel too badly....we don't even have our hostas poking out their heads yet. We were out for a walk
Tonight and my daughter found one blade of green grass and was so excited hehe

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

HA! Your "don't judge" got me...could picture Malcom in the Middle with chin to chest...LOL!!!

Yes, we have green here but still a bit chilly...ready for WARM weather!
Blessings,
Cindy

Irene said...

Love your optimism, we've been cold and colder this week, although the daffodils didn't "get the memo" and are peeking up quite tall by the fireplace wall, it's warm there and sunny, sheltered. Love your sentinel, I'm sure he is right the birds have flown the cooop. I was so delighted to see my crocus' come up, and then it snowed, I was out there promptly covering them with mulch, they are fine. Blooming in the sun. Love your shots. Have a WARM UP weekend.

The enchanted home said...

No green here....but there are sure signs of spring over where you live! Mzx, the birds, the eggs...all so beautiful. Today is a beautiful bright sunny day but boy is it cold!! Waiting for it to warm up...I hope soon!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

No snow here and it may go up to 70 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY! I love your nests! I had 4 that I had saved but they got thrown out with the move;( I am so anxious to get outside and PLANT!!! XO, Pinky

Sarah said...

Alison, we definitely have green here. A 3" rain early last week made everything happy. Glad to know you are finally seeing signs of spring. It has been a long winter for much of the country. In the 80s here today. I'd rather have your 55. '-)
Stop by when you have time. I shared a few tartan things. Just couldn't help myself.........Sarah

waveney said...

Alison, you have another clone! Check out From the house od Edward.. Blogspot.... nests.. it's a small,small world!,

La Vie Quotidienne said...

What sweet little birds ~ such lovely coloring what a wonderful event to be able to watch.

It is very green here ~ everything is blooming, especially the roses, of course we don't have any snow...actually, I would love some snow but alas here in our warn climate it isn't going to happen!

Love your horse head hitching post...he is great.

Becca Bertotti said...

Aw, so sweet and Max is too cute! I love the picture of your hosta and tulips starting to bloom ... Spring is almost there! Our grass is finally turning green here in SC, but the pollen is in FULL swing (*that* ... we can do without)! Happy Spring, friend!

Curtains in My Tree said...

my bulbs are peeking up also, even though it is 31 degrees here this morning, we had temperatures up to 80 last Saturday

we are all ready for spring here in Missouri

Babs said...

We're green here...mostly. Our dogwoods and azaleas are blooming, but the lilac bush has just started blooming. We're so far behind with Spring. The garden center had a huge sale on plants and big trucks backed in and being unloaded. Guess the greenhouses were overstocked due to the late Spring. Thanks for sharing your sweet bird post and happy Saturday.