Welcome, neighbors

We are getting some new neighbors. I don't know how long they have been looking for a home, but I am glad they chose to build near us. We live in a great neighborhood with great neighbors.

I'm sure they will love their new home. Their building spot has plenty of lush green surroundings with the most luscious smelling flowers you can imagine.

By choosing to build so near our home, they will never be lonesome due to all the activity that will surround their new abode.

Construction started about an hour ago and it appears they have chosen a straw colored material. Although they both are a good size, their home is going to be quite small.

As I watch, I notice there is lots of team work between the Mr. And Mrs. He brings the materials and she is placing it wherever she wants it. He does take some time occasionally when he comes in to just to sit with her. However, as with most females, she busies herself while he is resting.

I believe they will be fun neighbors. Also, I am certain there will be some little ones in the near future.

Our new neighbors are Mr. and Mrs. Mourning Dove and their new home is a purple petunia hanging basket I just bought . I hung the basket less than an hour before they started their nesting. If you see a dried up pot of petunias hanging on our porch, you will know I donated it to them.

Although I am not a qualified bird watcher, I do love watching birds and I have learned a lot from them over the last several years. However, this is my first time for doves this close up. I have noticed that every time he returns with more materials, he lands on her back and gives her the twig. She then places it where she wants it. Ummm, ladies, sound familiar?

My mother kept a metal cake pan nailed to a pole right outside her kitchen window filled with bird food. It was always full of doves. She started this many years ago and kept it up until she got sick. Mom talked to those doves and I believe they knew what she was saying. They were never skittish or flighty, they just sat there and ate as she talked to them.

I put some red petunia baskets on the back deck. Low and behold, I believe a little red head finch is scoping that basket out! I may just be the bird lady of the year.

I have loved birds all my life. Mom said that I tried to catch every bird I ever saw when I was a child. Oh, that brings to mind one of my escapades with mocking birds. As my girls read this sentence they will burst out laughing for they will know the story I'm 'fixn' to tell.

One year we had mocking birds building nests all around our house. When the babies were born the parents were very protective. We couldn't even sit on the porch without them attacking us. Well, there was some sort of cage around the house with no bottom in it. I looped a rope around the bars and put some kind of bait under it . I can't remember what I used but it was effective. I kept the cage upright until the bird walked under it then I pulled the rope and the cage dropped, trapping Mr. or Mrs. Mockingbird. Oh what fun that was to observe them up close and personal. This was my entertainment that whole summer. Doesn't take much to make me happy.

Okay, enough about birds and me. However, I do have lots of bird stories, for another time. I'm sure this will be a summer full of making more bird memories.

Until next time, see ya somewhere in a korner.

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