Among Friends

[mousiegirl]

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@Bird mama wrote:

I am so glad that 'Handsome' the male sparrow from outside, had a good day yesterday and that I was able to be home in the afternoon to watch him interact with his fellow sparrows. 

I don't know if this happens with other types of birds and I just see it more because my yard is full of primarily sparrows - over the past two days, whenever the main flock of sparrows would fly away quickly because of sudden movement or a noise, about 4 sparrows would immediately return to sit with Handsome.  Two looked juvenile and two were other male sparrows.  It's like they knew he was failing and didn't want to leave him alone.

Maybe that's why sparrows are my favorite and their behavior humbles me every time.  If only humans could be more like sparrows, sigh.

I brought Handsome in last night and set him up in the hospital basket.  He settled in a was comfy and restful.  This morning, he didn't feel like eating and when I offered some water, he wasn't really digging it.  I took him to the patio and said, so Handsome, want another day with your peeps?  He sat on the patio then hopped over near the garage door off the patio and snuggled into a corner. 

I walked over and said, okay Handsome, you're getting ready aren't you.  Well, let's go back inside and get snuggled in to a nice towel.  I put him back in the hospital basket (actually a laundry basket) and arranged the towel so he was bolstered a little on each side. 

If ever there was a day I wished I didn't  need to come to work, today was it.  He was comfy and relaxed and his breathing was not labored, but it was getting shallow.  I told him that he was beautiful and that I was honored that he visited my yard and sang such pretty songs.  I told him that it was an honor having him as a guest in my home.

Suffice it to say, I was crying when I left the house.  I think he felt safe and I know he was in a clean and warm environment.  I suspect he will be over the rainbow bridge by the time I get home from work.

You know, I'm going to start praying now that when my time comes, God lets me go to heaven by way of the rainbow bridge.  I'll see the people eventually, I would like to be welcomed by all of the cats and dogs and birds that shared parts of my life.

@Bird mama  A sad but beautiful story as I sit here with tears in my eyes.  I too hope to go where the critters are, then I would be eternally happy.

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[Bird mama]

@mousiegirl

It's the circle of life Mousie.  After I talked to Handsome, I went over to where I have my bust of Jesus (made of olive wood) and said, take care of him for me okay?  I usually cup one side of Jesus' face or the other as I thank him for my blessings and wish him a good day.  Seriously, with the world the way it is, I try to give him encouragement, lol.

When I cupped his face, I said, thank you for sending Handsome to me. 

Now, on a happier note......

When we went to our all team meeting a couple of weeks ago, we received a goodie bag.  In the bag was an inflatable beach ball (from oriental trading company).  It looked like this:

On a lark, I blew it up and tossed in the backyard.  It's hasn't been all that windy around here so when I'd see it clear across the yard, I'd say hmmm.

It looked slightly deflated on Sunday so I went out and reinflated it.

Yesterday I saw it and couldn't get a camera fast enough.  The first year squirrels were playing with the beach ball.  They jump on it and roll it around.  I'm thinking of getting them a lightweight rubber ball to play with.

I've got my Canon camera on the kitchen counter, just ready for the next time I see them playing ball.  I have got to get a pic of it.

[mousiegirl]

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@Bird mama wrote:

@mousiegirl

It's the circle of life Mousie.  After I talked to Handsome, I went over to where I have my bust of Jesus (made of olive wood) and said, take care of him for me okay?  I usually cup one side of Jesus' face or the other as I thank him for my blessings and wish him a good day.  Seriously, with the world the way it is, I try to give him encouragement, lol.

When I cupped his face, I said, thank you for sending Handsome to me. 

Now, on a happier note......

When we went to our all team meeting a couple of weeks ago, we received a goodie bag.  In the bag was an inflatable beach ball (from oriental trading company).  It looked like this:

On a lark, I blew it up and tossed in the backyard.  It's hasn't been all that windy around here so when I'd see it clear across the yard, I'd say hmmm.

It looked slightly deflated on Sunday so I went out and reinflated it.

Yesterday I saw it and couldn't get a camera fast enough.  The first year squirrels were playing with the beach ball.  They jump on it and roll it around.  I'm thinking of getting them a lightweight rubber ball to play with.

I've got my Canon camera on the kitchen counter, just ready for the next time I see them playing ball.  I have got to get a pic of it.

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@Bird mama   It is uncanny how many needy birdies find you, so you know they are being sent.

I would love to see squirrels playing.  All they do here is chase each other up, down, and around trees, and hunt for and bury nuts.  One year,  a scrub jay went looking in the pots where they knew the squirrels had put nuts, but they were too late, as the nuts had sprouted and were growing into plants, which I removed.  It was funny to see the look on the bird's face when it couldn't find the nuts.

In one of the rooms at my dental office, there is a tree outside the window with a special seat for a squirrel and a post on which to put corn, so I was able to watch one eating the corn one day, until time for head back and mouth open, lol.

[jlkz]

@mousiegirl

Your bird visitor let in by your daughter reminded of a few years ago late fall:  home alone, I heard a strange noise in the great room.  Nothing there.  Then I heard it again right behind me.  A robin had dropped down the fireplace flue and was whipping up a storm in the ashes.  From the picture below you can see that it's a glass-sided fireplace.  ( It comes apart for the summer )

How that bird got under the chimney cap on the roof, I'll never know.  Well, he flew around the great room and tried to peck at the upper Windows and the 2 bow windows while leaving little white " puddles " on everything, including the white leather sectional.  He landed in a wide-mouthed vase and I put a book over it....DH took it outside and freed it.  Then I had a major cleanup effort !

[Bird mama]

Okay, this is not the bird of the day, lol.  I came across these pics of Black Browed Albatrosses

Baby - what a cute face

[Bird mama]

The bird of the day is the Grey Breasted Prinia

[possummink]

Sadness at the Osprey nest in Maine today.   Yesterday an eagle came and took one of the almost fully grown chicks, Spirit, and scared one of her brothers out of the nest.  The people who monitor the nest are not sure where that young bird landed or what happened to him.  Now there's only one osprey chick left in the nest and I hope it fledges soon or that eagle will come back and kill it too.   

Last year, Steve and Rachel  lost their baby ospreys to an eagle too.  Makes me almost dislike eagles, though I know it's Nature's way.  Quite cruel to me. 

[Bird mama]

@possummink

OMG, I am so sorry to read the sad news about the Ospreys.  Is the nest in a really isolated part of Maine?  If I lived near it, you know I'd be looking for the one who fell.

[Bird mama]

Knocked wood before I typed this, hoping not to jinx myself.

Ever since the 'hawk versus me' incident in April over Rocky the pigeon, no hawks. 

I did try to chase down the one who had Rocky and did it with a laundry basket in my hand and I probably looked crazy.

[possummink]

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@Bird mama wrote:

@possummink

OMG, I am so sorry to read the sad news about the Ospreys.  Is the nest in a really isolated part of Maine?  If I lived near it, you know I'd be looking for the one who fell.

Bernie,  I just went back to the site,  fearing that the last young osprey might be gone too.  He was still there and then I saw the below text from one of the 'watchers' of the osprey nest.   It's on Hog Island, on a bay in Maine.    They have 2 cameras, and it's kind of in a wildeness area, I think.   Will have to research that. 

I'm not sure if I'm going to watch the osprey nests any more.  Too much drama and sadness there.   Such beautiful birds though. 

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Breaking news from Steve Kress:

Dear Osprey Friends:
I am pleased to share the news that a search team from Hog Island and Project Puffin found osprey Little B on the mainland about 1/4 mile from the nest. Sharp-eyed Project Puffin intern Aspen Ellis spotted the missing fledgling high in a pine. The fledgling is healthy and parents are perching nearby. The fact that it travelled this distance and is perched high in the tree suggests it can fly-which supports Dr. Bierregaard's view that his namesake osprey was in fact old enough to fly. And- a quick enough responder to instinctively recognize an eagle as a threat and take the evasive action in an instant of flying for the first time! This good news points to how chance events and natural selection can favor individual birds who look so similar to our eyes. Meanwhile, Hog Island staff will keep watch, hoping to deter the eagle from making another visit.

Best wishes,
Steve Kress

Let us keep Spirit in our minds and remember how many joyfull hours we shared with her and her siblings. May she soar in eternity!

They have the second camera on the pines where the young osprey is sitting.  I just hope the one remaining in the nest fledges soon and recognizes the Bald Eagle as the enemy.