Isn’t it about time I got back to nature observations? I think we all could use some sweet stories and pretty photos, so I’ll try to give you some of each.
The Dangling Finchlet
First, I’ll tell you about the house finch families who have taken up residence at the Hermit Haus, who entertain me and Mandi when we hang out by the carport. They sing and sing, and fly right next to us or sit in big groups chirping and looking spiffy (especially the males).
Well, as we came out to leave this afternoon and I was trying to load paper towels in the car, something brushed against me. I looked left, and there was a poor little baby finch flailing away, but unable to fly off, because a piece of nesting material was stuck on its leg.
I was worried that if it fell, it would hurt itself, so I gamely cupped my hands under it and called Mandi to help. Just as she got there, the birdie got loose and awkwardly flew over to the van roof. It shook itself and then flew to a ledge on the carport, as if to say, “I know that wasn’t dignified, but look! I flew!”
It wasn’t a moment too soon, because the nest it was in was TINY! That bird needed to go.
I didn’t save it, but I was there just in case!
Back at the Ranch
Aftef recovering from the strenuous bird assisting by having a swim in the neighbor’s pool, I came back to sit on the porch with Lee. There’s always some nature there!
We were charmed to watch a doe and tiny fawn in the field next to the house. We rarely see the deer around here. They were later joined by what we assume was a buck, since it was much bigger, and also darker. I think I forget that the whitetail deer are different shades of tan.
Alfred eventually spotted them and encouraged them to move along. Mere moments later, I heard a whoosh and looked left to see a beautiful flock of cattle egrets fly right by us. We watched them change formations, flying low above the fields, for a glorious minute.
It’s great here. Glorious.
[I realize none of the photos go with the stories, but I was too busy experiencing the stories to find my phone!]
The Hermits' Rest 