Cardinals

Cardinals have built a nest in a bush just outside our front door. They fly away in fear every time I open the front door. But I really scared them when I was cleaning a bay window that overlooks the nest. They were chirping at me and flying all around, even though I was inside. Birds do not understand glass.

Robins Build McMansion

Robins are just like people. They want the best possible home in which to raise their children.

Our robins decided to finish their home under the eaves of our solarium and on top of the flood lights. They left nothing to chance, creating a robin's version of a McMansion. We have one set of robins with a nest in a bush by the front door. They built a typical robin's nest, smallish and made mostly of woven twigs and feathers. But the robins that built over our flood lights have blue ribbons, strands of lily fronds, grasses, twigs and lots and lots of mud. The mud sides of the nest must be three inches high. I'm not sure when I've seen a larger or more sturdy nest. Mrs. Robin is sitting very proudly on top. She's got a great roof over her head and a perfect view out over our pond.

It will be very interesting to see if her eggs or the ones near the front door will hatch first. The poor robin by the front door flies away in fright every time I open the door. But the backyard robin with the mega nest sits quietly even when I walk underneath.

Don't we mothers all want the same thing for our families? A good roof over our heads and a clear view of real danger?

Our Robins

Our robins have returned and are building a nest in the same place as last year -- right over a pair of flood lights, weaving the straw, string and grass over and between the lights. They use a lot of mud to hold it all together. It's a messy job. They also decorate the nest with blue ribbons and strings. They did the same thing last year. I think these birds like blue decorations.