Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Bluebird

Polar Bear Plunge: Bluebird Style

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Do birds really use a birdbath in winter?  You bet!  Even though Georgia has faced weeks of temps ranging from the teens to the low 30's, birds are all over the property -- constantly at/in the birdbaths (and chowing down at every feeder).

The photo harkens back to my Scandinavian roots -- the blue and yellow of the Swedish flag.  It's truly amazing there were no Finch busy-bodies to muddy the image.  

Swedish Colors 2018

Eastern Bluebird and Pine Warbler

Carrying forward the Scandinavian theme, the featured video confirms that birds happily participate in the Polar Bear Plunge.  The 30 degree temps didn't deter a female Eastern Bluebird one bit as she goes all-in.  Naturally, numerous Finch busy-bodies danced ringside.

I, on the other hand, headed for a warm shower.  Minnesota roots or not, there's just something about observing icy bathing that makes the chill run deep.  Reminds me of my friend with Vermont roots.  She LOVES to send me pictures of her mom's lab, Buster, going for a winter swim amid ice chunks floating in the river.  Yeah.  I take a lot of warm showers in the winter.

Nesting Challenges: Housekeeping

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I don't know about you, but after the holidays I'm ready to get the house back to normal -- do some housekeeping.  I need to grab hold of this rare impulse when it strikes!

In this post, I share some insight into another Nesting Challenge:  Housekeeping.  It is pretty impressive to witness the details of our Creator's design!

Empty Bluebird Nest

Let's begin with a picture of an empty Eastern Bluebird nest.  Looking at it, your first impression may be that this is a new nest awaiting a first egg.  In fact, this nest was occupied by four bluebird nestlings for 17 days.  Amazing how clean it is.  We all know birds poop ALL the time — so how can this be?

Where did all the poop go?

Bluebird (and other) nestlings excrete their poop in sacks.  The sacks are removed by the parents (yep, mom AND dad) and placed in a location far from the nest.  Insects are not drawn into the nest, and predators are not led to the nest, by the presence of piled-up droppings.  Like I said:  Creation is amazing!!

In the photo, below, a parent bluebird is shown removing a poop sack from an active nest.  Go Dad!!

Leave No Poop Behind