I’m trying not to view gardening as a running inventory of things that have died, but with two giant, mature rhodies crumping this season it’s hard to avoid. So many plants have not “taken” here and many others have thrived and then suddenly and inexplicably died. I can’t decided which is worse.
Which is why when a young spring robin started following me around in the front yard today, I could hardly believe it. The magic of proximity. An unbidden but welcome relationship, one that speaks to spring and hope and perpetuity.
Earlier I had noticed her hopping around with twigs in her beak. Hop, hop, flap away. Nothing unusual in that. But then she started picking up blobs of mud from wherever I had just watered. So intent was she in her nest-building that she was willing to get quite close to me. She’d gob mud in her beak —once, twice, look up, look at me — then gob up some more. Then flap, flap, off and away. And then back she’d come.
Eventually I followed her and found the nest. It’s in the yew next to our driveway, only about five feet up. Thank goodness the formerly ruthless feline hunter next-door is now 17 and not quite up to the high jinx of his youth.
Hardly a secluded spot!
In other years, the robins have built nests in the lower branches of this jack pine, which, I feel compelled to add, is dying.
Do you see why one creature’s commitment to nesting holds such charm? This sole robin evidences: faith in the future, genetically-coded survival instincts, mud and stick results.
Wonderful nest building Robin 💙
She had a muddy chest all afternoon from packing the mud in her nest.
There are literally dozens of Robins here, when I look out in the morning.
Nice!
such a treat Dee, to have a robin as a companion🥰 I’m always overcome by a slight sense of awe when a wild animal lets me come close…..that includes any kind of bird! Since we moved here over 28 years ago I came to truly experience the seasons and the harsh reality of survival: young birds falling out of their nests to their deaths in Spring, the fig tree frozen our first Winter! hostas devoured by snails, the lavender I optimistically planted unable to root in our heavy clay soil….it took me by surprise and saddened me somewhat, it also opened my eyes to the true nature of the natural world, how things could work if I worked with rather than against my surroundings…..and I’m forever trying to discover what can grow (besides nettles and brambles) more or less without my ‘help’, robust enough to withstand 3 dogs frolicking about, wow sorry I’m rambling, I just love gardens in Spring
There is a lot of acceptance in the years of gardening here too. For instance, I just have come to so wholly appreciate ferns and hosta. We have a lot of shade, which afford a certain kind of focus as well. The fact that we can’t grow vegetables, felt like a limitation for years, but really maybe it was a good thing. We’ve never tested our soil, which is probably something we ought to do.
yes ferns!!! like you we have lots of shade, and in a corner very close to my studio ferns appeared all by themselves, I adore them
Dee~ There just really is something about birds in general and birds in spring behaviors that is so captivating. I was mesmerized watching one of those camera in the birdhouse – that links up with your smart phone…so you can watch to your heart’s content! I check the Crow’s nests at the bridge every time I go…and now the Swallows…and any others I happen upon. Enjoy the season!
Yes to birds. There’s a reason they figure large in so many cultures’ mythologies.
Love this Robin for bringing you some joy to your yard amidst the wondering what is happening with the dying ones.
Thank you. She afforded some balance.
I believe that birds are incredibly intelligent and understand which humans are not only less harmful, but actually helpful … and thereby reward us with their presence
As for your trees, I suspect that climate change may play a part in their decline, given that they cannot “walk away” from adverse temperature ranges and rainfall amounts
I hadn’t heard that about birds. I like it.
New England has been suffering from record drought. And winters are erratic now. Can’t help.
This is lovely. Thank you.