Saturday 5 July 2014

IN WHICH BEAR SAYS "GOOD-BYE" TO THE RENTERS

Although I haven't mentioned them before, we have had a family renting part of our place for the last couple of months. 

Last night, they decided to take off, without even saying "by your leave," or anything else. I just walked into the garage, and three baby Robins jumped out of their nest, and more or less floated to the ground, landing awkwardly.

I was able to get up close and personal with two of them; I also got some pictures.



Giving me a beady-eyed look


More of the same



Mom kept an eye on everything.

The babies eventually disappeared into the undergrowth in our yard, and I couldn't find them. But Mom and Dad knew where they were, and kept talking to them. Kinda like Buttons' cows, who hide their calves in the bush. 

In the process, two Black-Billed Magpies showed up to see if there might be something to eat. (Yes, they eat baby birds, or feed them to their babies.) I tossed a stone up on to our roof, which they took as a sign they were not welcome. They left. Quickly. 

The only major threat now is the cluster of cats which live across the street, and sometimes come into our yard. I have discouraged them by throwing noisy things in their direction. They tend not to stick around too much, either. 

The Robin family had a nice little flat (or apartment) in the vines that cover much of our garage. No hot or cold running water, but they were OK with that. See their place? 




Oh, you don't.

How about now?



Still no luck?

OK. One more try.



There you have it.

I knew they were there because Momma Robin flew out of the vines, from almost right above the side door to the garage, every time I went in there. But I pretended not to know what was happening. 

Finally I figured I would actually get up on a ladder and check them out today. But they decided to run out on me last
evening. What can you say?

I can say, "Blessings and Bear hugs, everyone!"



Today's Weather Report
The high this afternoon is supposed to reach 27C, (that's about 81F). But it's going to feel like 32C (or 90F). And there have been thundershowers, but not much rain. Yup; hot and muggy. But what are summers for? 

Happy haying if your fields are dry enough! (I need to cut my very modest hay crop, or grass crop, this week, too.) 

40 comments:

  1. Oh Bear, I do hope that your young robins get through their flying lessons in good form and health.

    It's lovely to see how mom and dad made their nest and how you were their protector.

    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mom and Dad had very mixed feelings about my presence. But all's well that ends well. Dad sits on top of the telephone wire in the back alley — with a good view of things — so I take it that the family is OK.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  2. They are only there for a couple of weeks, then wam bam, thank you, ma'm, they scram. Those little ones are on their way to their new life. Not to worry about the cats, though, those parents will dive bomb and attack them and they will scurry fast. We had a cat that was so traumatized by a mamma or daddy robin that he wouldn't 't go out for months.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I mentioned to Frances, Dad Robin seems to have things under control. Which is a good sign. I don't have a clue where the babies are, but I suspect they are in another yard.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Arleen!

      Delete
  3. I also worry about little fledglings when they leave the nest. I'm glad they have a big bear to keep an eye on things for them. Blessings back to you, Bear! :-)

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    1. To tell the truth, I don't do much for them. The Mom and Dad do. Because they don't understand me very well, they think the Bear is an enemy, not a friend. Such is life. All I know is that from their behaviour, their parents are still looking after them, thought they may be two or three yards away from here.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  4. Lovely post. I am a lover of birds and have numerous nest sites here. I especially miss the house martins when they return to Africa. They nest under the eaves of our little cottage, so very close to the windows I can see into the nests.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It's lovely having birds around, isn't it. We try hard to make our garden "bird friendly." Lucky you — you can see the nests without hunting for them. The birds must trust you.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  5. Aw what a nice post.
    I hope the cats don't get them.
    I love robins

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've not seen or heard any cats at our place. But I have no idea where the babies are hiding. Still, the adult Robins are keeping a pretty good eye on things. Mom came and had a dip in our bird bath this afternoon.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  6. Smart momma bird, she had that nest well hidden.

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    Replies
    1. True, indeed. But she hadn't considered that she was dealing with a very astute Bear. "All's well that ends well." Fortunately.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Amanda!

      Delete
  7. Ah, silly robins. I hope they do well.

    Ugh on that humidity! I hope Bear is shedding quickly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I trust the babies are OK, too. The adults are around and talkative, so I think thins are OK.

      Humidity and shedding. No; I've set up an air conditioner in my den. That strikes me as the civilized way to survive a hot, humid summer.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  8. That's such a good sign about your area that you have so many birds. About 90 percent of the bird population has been lost around here and same in NZ bush because of the possums. We have crows like anything, sometimes feels very Hitchcock and hummingbirds which I love

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry about your loss of birds, Jody. They are delightful to have nearby. On the downside, we had a young Magpie in our yard today, which did not thrill me (for reasons stated above). And I suspect that possums could be very good at destroying bird nests. We have had maybe two crows all year, but the Magpies make up for their Crow cousins. On the other hand you have hummingbirds, which we haven't this year. Maybe we will next year.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Indeed, Lisa. I have no idea where they are now. But a young Magpie and its parents seem to have taken up a place in our yard.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  10. Awww, baby birds are so cute. Lucky you to get to see them up close. And kudos for keeping the baby eaters away too.
    It rained most of the morning today and I liked that just find. Better than the 90+ degree heat we had yesterday. Have a good rest of the week Bear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was neat to see the babies up close, for sure. I do not like 90 degree heat; I do not like even 80 degree head. Way too warm when you're wearing a heavy fur coat all the time.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Terri!

      Delete
  11. Oh they are so sweet. I'm enjoying watching a few families caring for their young around here.. grackles, geese, crows and there's an adorable groundhog baby who takes shelter by our basement window. As long as he doesn't start digging, he'll be fun to watch. May you continue to enjoy seeing your robins.. hopefully they'll stay in the area.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the new families are fun to watch. Right now, a baby Magpie is around quite a bit — always a concern for smaller birds. So I'm not sure where the Robins are.

      Blessings and Bear hugs! (Any signs of baby Bears?)

      Delete
    2. Nary a one. I'm still waiting for my first bear sighting. Not too closely, hopefully. :)

      Delete
    3. Oh, but I'm sure if you saw some, you would want to give them a hug. For me!

      But that wold be with the babies. Mom, not so much.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  12. What about the property that the birds rented out? Your vine is looking very healthy. Do you get any grapes?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, sadly, no grapes. Our winters are far too brutal for that.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  13. Good tenants are so hard to find.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is so true, J.C. And now they're gone.

      Peace and joy!

      Delete
  14. Kind of like real kids, but ours stay a LOT longer! lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, a lot longer, Sandie. And sometimes they even come back.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  15. I'm so glad you got pictures of the little family before they left to take care of their summer business. Everything there looks lush and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everything looks lush and beautiful because of abundant spring rain. Now we're having a hot summer.

      One of the baby Robins was back for a splash in the bird bath, and a chew on some insects. Seems to be coming along just fine. Almost adult sized.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  16. I say you are one Special Bear for taking such good care! My son had a similar experience as he was pruning a tree in his back yard. He was unaware that a hummingbird nest was in the tree branch. Down came the branch, and the baby birds. Mama Bird got totally confused not being able to find her way back to the nest and her babies. My son Louis has a feeder and had liquid food for them so he proceeded to 'eye-dropper' nourishment. And then it was night. Louis took them (he had been able to salvage the nest) in for the night and kept them in a dark room. When sunlight peeked the birds started to chirp. Louis found a rescue place for birds (he lives in a Denver suburb) and the rest is history. Birds saved to live another day. I don't think Mama Bird knows, but we do!

    Thanks for visiting my blog, Rob.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What an awesome and caring son your have! Well done!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  17. Awwww,
    I love robins
    Nice shots Rob-bear

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are such cute little critters! I keep seeing one at a time around our place. May be the same bird; maybe not. But it/they keep gathering up insects, and stopping for a drink or a bath.

      Glad you enjoyed the pictures!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  18. You were lucky to get so close! Your photos are amazing. Loved seeing them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are very fortunate indeed! Yesterday, all three of them were back, together. They were around the bird bath. They are almost the size of adults, and the mottling on their breasts is beginning to disappear. Glad you enjoyed the pictures.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  19. I like your pictures of the baby robins – they are sweet. We have 5 bird feeders in the back yard and we love watching all the birds coming to them, mostly robins, blue jays, black cap chickadees, cardinals, and more – many I don’t know their names like one yesterday, dark brown with gold stomach and as large as a blue jay. There was a cardinal next in the bush next to our front door – the little ones were also quite cute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for coming by to visit, Vagabonde. Your yard sounds exciting, with all those feeders and "livestock." I'm not sure who the brown and yellow visitor was; you have so many different birds in the south.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete

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