Reluctant Blogger

I have been so sad since the day that our nest was attacked that I haven't felt much like blogging. My blog was created and named after the nesting family outside our door, and I couldn't help but feel that they were a metaphor for our family. The mother bird nestled in soft and cozy with her babies. The daddy bird flying around, trying his best to feed and protect his family... actively bringing treats to mother and babies alike. They were nesting like we are, with our young family. Their comings and goings were centered on the new life that they were nurturing, and mommy bird was sacrificing her time to fly and explore so that she could help her eggs develop and grow. They were a miracle, and they reminded me of the simplicity of our choices and the natural joy and self-sacrifice that is the gift of parenthood.
So, here we are with the images of the babies dead on the steps, nest torn apart and eggs scattered in the dirt. What to do with this new information? I have been thinking about our bird family and I realized that the metaphor continues. Sometimes it does seem like nesting families are stalked by predators. It is too difficult for a family to protect itself all alone. The influences of media targeted at pre-pre-schoolers stalks our nest to try and consume our family. The growing wealth inequity creeps up and tries to lure our protection away. There are many preditors (more than those facing our bird family) trying to pull apart the things we have brought together.
I realized that our nest needs, and receives, protection from all around. I am so lucky to have family and friends who love us and our little nest and take care to call attention to preditors and help us keep them at bay. We've had support all along... we've never had to go it alone. So, our nest remains cozy... and this momma can keep on blogging.

Tragedy

I am surprised at how sad I feel about this post. Our nest was attacked either last night or this morning. Two of the babies are totally gone and one is dead on our front porch. All three eggs are on the ground. The nest was pulled mostly out of the tree. No evidence was left behind about the attacker. I am surprisingly sad, and not looking forward to talking to Braeden about the baby birds.

More about birds

David took the most amazing photo of our babies yesterday morning. It was quite an amazing catch! It looks like only three of the eggs are going to hatch. The other eggs aren't being sat upon any more, and several days have passed, so we think that the hatching is done. Not sure what will happen to the eggs now... will they be pushed from the nest somehow? Momma bird is away from the nest most of the time now, and it is Daddy bird that spends most of his time feeding the new ones.

Red Letter Day!

We were greeted this morning with grey skies and drizzle... Kind of a cozy day after a few nice warm sunny days. As Isaac and I stepped out onto the porch this morning to greet the day, we peeked into our nest as usual. This morning we saw something new. Pink and grey fluff-balls and a tiny pink finch working its way out into the world. I have never seen something so poignant as a pink-wet tiny seemingly helpless little bird makes its way out of the shell. It was simply wonderful. I am including pictures here, but they don't really do justice. Looking at the tiny hatchlings in the nest first hand is amazing. And I feel today, as if I have been given an amazing gift!

Well... six speckled eggs

When I went into Isaac's room this morning, and pulled open the blinds I saw Momma bird flying away from her nest. It has been cold the last few days, and she has been on her nest non-stop. Finally! A chance to check on those 5 little eggs... Turns out I should have named this blog SIX speckled eggs! David took pictures while the parents watched nervously from a nearby tree. Here you can see our eggs. Aren't they cute?

So, six speckled eggs... ? It might be time for us to get another dog!

Love Birds Nesting

The last week has been a flutter of excitement in the shrub outside our front door. As we walk up the steps into our house we are greeted with a tiny finch nest, right at eye level. For weeks now the sounds of furious bird-construction have been coming from the front porch. The nest was finished about two weeks ago. All yesterday the mouse-brown female sat in her nest watching our comings and goings. We did not get a peek inside. Today, she left the nest and allowed us a glimpse. Five speckled eggs in her cozy nest. Palest blue with tiny brown speckles. They look like the Easter candy, Robin's Eggs, but less garish. We can't believe our luck! Five babies should be living on our front stoop in about 2 weeks. The momma bird is back in her roost, with red-breasted dad making a loud show of feeding her and protecting the nest, swooping all around. Now I am staying up at night, thinking about how to keep cats off our porch.