Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Carolina Wren Nestlings

Eve of Destruction – Pantherophis spiloides

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I all but danced around here Wednesday caught up in the excitement of the door-sitting rural Bluebird nestlings, the flapping House Finch nestlings peering over the edge of their platform, and the bundle of Carolina Wren nestlings spilling out of the cup into the foliage around their nest.

Finch Nestling Checking Out His Wings and the World Below

Finch Nestling Checks Out Wings & World Below

Wren Nestling Pile Speaks With One Voice

Wren Nestling Pile Speaks With One Voice

I set up ANOTHER camera to capture the Wrens emerging from the floral jungle.  I was writing the post in my head and was very excited about the title:  June is Bustin’ Out All Over.  I even had BLUE Bluebird eggs to show you.

Parent Wren Bringing Food to Floral Jungle

Parent Wren Bringing Food to Floral Jungle

BLUE Bluebird Eggs - Garden House

Bluebird Eggs in Color

This morning, the song went from my head.

Pantherophis spiloides (Gray Rat Snake) delivered an Eve of Destruction.  He climbed 30’ to reach the Finch nest 12’ above the second-floor terrace.  From there, he managed to hunt down the Wren nest some 50’ away.  When I awoke around 6 and turned on the cameras – he was still in the Wren nest, but it was too late.  Drake, the Pit Bull, and I went out and chased the snake off the terrace.  I suppose I could have allowed him to finish devouring his kill, but I found it more satisfying to push him off the edge of the terrace.  I knew he’d survive the 14’ drop, but I hoped he would remember the stick-lady and her big-headed dog.

So now – you may ask – exactly how do I plan to turn THIS into an uplifting post?  I’ve been holding out on you.  I have this video I use to lift my spirits when I am downtrodden. It was taken here, at The Retreat – indirectly featuring my “Fuzz Buddy”, Drake.  It has a way of making a bad day go dim in the light of a life filled with many, many blessings.

Raising a Carolina Wren Family

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Raising a Carolina Wren Family, like all bird families, is a full-time job.  This is a big family -- six nestlings packed in a grass hut with an interior about the size of a baseball.  It took me days to count heads, but finally I saw all six beaks.  You'll understand the difficulty when you see the video -- there's a LOT of jostling going on!

As for the Chia Pet picture ... I finally have a camera in a location where I can mess with the focus as the nestlings grow.  This setting also has lots of natural light.  The combination yields (at least for now) an amazing image.  I won't be able to mess with the camera when these guys reach 12 days of age for fear of causing them to fledge prematurely.

Carolina Wren Nestlings Looking Like Chia Pets

Wren Nestlings Looking Like Chia Pets

Enjoy the video.  JUST BE WARNED:  I highly advise you view this footage when you are not eating ... unless juicy insects, in high-def, appeal to you.

 

When Nature Gives Me What I Want

I love it when I get what I want!  Momma Bluebird built her nest in the Garden House.  As you will see in the picture, it captures natural light much better than the other houses -- yielding color pictures for part of the day.  I'm pretty excited by the prospect of  sharing with you images of Bluebird eggs and nestlings in blue -- IF I continue to get what I want.

Momma Blue Chooses Garden House
Momma Blue Chooses Garden House