I posted a sad story yesterday, but it was how I was feeling, really missing Dustin. When I got up this morning, and read all the awesome comments from my great Gather friends, I decided today would be a better more positive day.
A few weeks ago, (see my bluebird posts and pictures posted a few weeks ago),
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977672665
I put up my first bluebird house. The next day, a male and female were in and out of the house. I was sooo excited.
Then, the sparrows took over and I was really bummed out for several days, but was determined not to give up. I researched online, and found out that sparrows do take over bluebird houses and eat the eggs. I found what's called a sparrow resistant house, now I find this out! So I got one. (see my other articles for pictures of the house).
I went out to the house this morning, peeked in, and GUESS WHAT???
There is one bluebird egg in the new sparrow-resistant house!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stay tuned for pictures when I can sneak one after the bluebird leaves. I am hoping she will be back and lay more eggs, so I have to be really careful.
I told you today would be a better day!!! :)
****UPDATE**** I peeked in and got a shot, not a good one, I was in a hurry. The Mom and Dad were watching from a tree. There are FOUR eggs!!! So cool. I will try to get more pics later. The female and male both just came back to see what I was doing apparently. So, I will let them be for now. Just had to share the joy!!!
These are way too cool!!!
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Comments: 62
I am sooo excited!!!!! :)
Yayy!! That's excellent!
Cheers!
That is cool. We have a robin that laid eggs in a nest on the base of one our light poles at work. I first noticed an egg in it several weeks ago. The next time I was at work I found 3 eggs, and saw the mom sitting on it later. Now there are 2 babies, I don't think that first egg hatched, it was left uncoveed on a ver hot day I noticed one day at work. Each time I check on the babies they are getting bigger. I am trying to get my daughter to stop by and take a pic, if we can catch the nest unattended for a short time. That mommy bird won't let me near when she is sitting.
Isn't it just the coolest Sheryl?
Oh yes but fearful for it being so low. We have feral cats in the area and I am fearful one will figure out there are babies close when mommy is off catching lunch.
We put it up according to the directions...so far so good. No feral cats around, so far. I will hope for the best.
Way cool!
Glad to hear the joy in your voice!
Thanks Rose. :)
How cool! I have cardinals in the holly bushes under my bedroom window--a few years back an owl got all the babies. The frogs in the tiny pond in my front yard seem to have survived the owl and the weather--the 'plop!' when I walk out my front door startles me every morning and their songs lull me to sleep at night.
My parents have bats behind the shutters on their livingroom window--I got them a bat-house for Christmas and the bats seem to have moved...they also have cardinals in a fern basket hanging over the picture window section of their livingroom. And rabbits all over their front yard....this is suburbia, an old neighborhood a mile or so from the river. Wildlife seems to have adjusted to all the people, but then, animals don't recognize property lines, do they?
Too bad about the cardinals. Mother nature is amazing.
Can't wait for the pictures - wonderful news, dear Carol! :-)
Love and hugs - S.
Thanks!
How exciting! I've never even seen a real bluebird.
Me either Sherrie, you have to get a house and get it up!!!
This is really exciting. I love seeing bluebirds, they are so pretty. I can't wait for updates from you.
Thanks Nana, I am waiting another day, I don't want to scare off the Mom and Dad. I am still learning what to expect after the eggs appear! I feel like taking a chair out to keep a watch out, with a slingshot to keep the sparrows away!!! Just call me Annie Oakley. :) lol
Aww a little family sharing with you.
ooh Carol... this is exciting... that's Dustin showing off... hehehe... Bless you my friend...
Ohh, thanks Necee, I do think believe he is sharing this experience with me, no doubt!
That is so wonderful! There will be babies chirping around soon~
I can't wait!!
Okay Carol. Maybe between the two of us, you will be able to get some baby bird pic's. Mine were gone, after I got back from seeing mom...so apparently some other bird got them. Good luck sweetie...
Oh I am so sorry Randall, I am keeping my fingers crossed that nothing gets these. (See my comment to Nana above...hehe Annie Oakley!!)
In all the years, now going on 23, that I've lived here, I've never seen any Bluebirds. Mom had them at the farm. but I don't recall seeing any the few times that I've been home this year. I would be wiling to take a chance on putting up a bird house, for Bluebirds, but as I stated, I've never seen any around here.
Randall, I had not seen either any until the day after my bluebird house went up. You should give it a try! We need to help save the bluebirds.
That's just wonderful Carol!!! Yay for the bluebirds!
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Thanks Deb! :)
Far out Carol, that is too awesome for sure, I guess that is one HUGE sign that the day is going to be just fine!! =~)
Yes it is Ruth. It is all about attitude isn't it. Positive thinking gets you everywhere.
Baby blue birds will be fun. Glad today was a better day for ya.
Thanks Marianne.
Cool, Carol!! I LUVS bluebirds! They don't make their nests around here. They do pass through in the spring and fall, tho' and I've gotten several great photos of them when they do! I was SO EXCITED when I got my first bluebird photo! They're quite rare around my neck 'o the woods!
I never expected to see bluebirds so soon after putting up the house, got lucky I guess. I luv them too. :)
I didn't know they had sparrow resistant houses for Blue Birds.
I'm happy you found one.Blue birds are so very nice to watch.
I didn't know either until I started researching, after the sparrows took over the last hous. I am still learning Elaine...there is a picture of one in my last article...
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977672665
Oh that's great. I have seen one bluebird exactly once this spring...I don't know what happened to it.
Oh, maybe he found another house in someone's yard. The male comes first, checks out the place, if he likes it, he brings the female back, then she has the final approval. So fun learning about all this. :)
That is so cool. I need a bird house, LOL. It would be fun I bet, even if it was just sparrows.... ;-)
Nice picture....
Thanks John. It is tons of fun. I used to like the cute little sparrows...until I got my bluebird house. But it is all fun. Keeps my mind busy! And I am helping mother nature out a little. :)
That is awesome! How exciting. You will have to keep posting updates and new photos so we can watch the progress with you.
I will Renda. The bluebirds are chasing away the sparrows, too cool.
hehehe....they are being protective, aren't they? I'm glad you will keep updates coming...it will be interesting to see this through your photos.
That's nice. You do realize many many people will be upset you did not mention redbirds. People from St. Louis and Louisville might not take kindly to this and the mayors are probably holding town seminars to quell the unrest.
Funny William. I welcome all birds in my yard! lol I would love to have redbirds, cardinals, but my trees are very small right now. Maybe one day I will have a place for all.
That's so cool Carol!
So good to see you Trudy. How are you? Thanks for stopping by.
I love bluebirds. I got a nest (not bluebirds though) right above my front door. DH wanted to take it down, I said no, I want to hear the birds in the mornig and watch them when they grow up. (so does my cat...she loves birds...but doesn't attack them, she just loves watching them)
I have always loved them as well but never thought I would have them in my yard. They are gorgeous. My 21 y/o cat just sits and watches them, she's like, oh bother! :)
That is so exciting. I saw a bluebird for the first time last year, and now I'm absolutely in love with these beautiful creatures. Maybe you'll get some baby bird pics once they hatch!
I hope so, I am watching them every day, the bluebirds keep the sparrows away, I hope my luck continues.
Thank you again for the visit!
That is so awesome, I am so happy for you!!! Who would have thought, sparrow resisitant house???? That is sooo great! I havent been able to comment and keep up with everyone lately, sorry about that, I am so glad today is better for you... Dustin knows just what to do to keep you smiling..... love and hugs!!!!!! oh, and I promise I will try to be a much better friend than I have been lately, so many emails, and trying to write myself, which is taking so much time, and then people always want me to do stuff like cook and clean, Ugh!!!! well, I have to cook and clean, or you know, nothing would get done, lol... Carol, I have to tell you, that some days when I am having a bad day, even if I am unable to hop on this site, I think of you, and it always gives me inspiration to get my butt up and stop feeling sorry for myself, thank you so much for that!
((((Hugs)))) to you Barb. You are a special person. You have made my day. It is great to know that I have helped someone...as special as you. No need to apologize for being behind. You just made up for it all. Thank you for making my day. It helps to be reminded that I really do have a purpose.
Yes dear lady, you most certainly do have many purposes!!!! I should tell you more often, that has started to be my goal for each day... remind myself, to let anyone who means something to me, know how much I appreciate them.... and I needed to tell you today!
That's why I call you my friend. Thank you for being you.
By the way, when you have time, you must read my "The Most Amazing Thing Happened to me" article.
Here is the link Barb, when you have time...
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977701569
That's so neat! We have a family of woodpeckers in the tree in our front yard now. The parents are constantly bringing bugs back for the chicks. We can't see the chicks but we can sure hear them crying for mom and dad.
Aww, I love woodpeckers but our trees are not mature enough for them. I can't wait for these to hatch, it should be time, I keep watching and listening. I just hope they survive once they hatch. Isn't is cool to watch?
Nothing like the miracle of new life to lift one's spirits :)