Adventures with Dr. Lady Cutie Troublemaker

This morning, I heard momma bird tweeting on the porch, so I peeked out and watched and saw her fly up to the light fixture in the ceiling, then disappear! I couldn’t figure out where she’d gone. Later, when I came back home from the gym, I inspected further and made a discovery:

There is little space above the light with a nest! If I’d known where to put them on Saturday, maybe they would have made it (or maybe not). I just had no idea that space was even there. I climbed up on the side of this piece of furniture I have out there and took a few fast pictures, one with a flash for detail. If you look closely, I think that it’s clear that there are two more baby birds. Maybe I should make some more spaghetti to ensure their healthy growth!

Closer view:

I first looked for the nest. I couldn’t see one anywhere.

I fiinally took a good look. Yes, they are dead. Limp, shriveled, greyish. The paper towels were soaked with waste. The smell of death was there but not overwhelming. I went outside with the hat/nest to dig a hole, but the ground was so dry. With all the dogwalkers, I figured they would be dug up quickly. I went up to the ivy patch and put them there. They were so light. You would have to measure them in grams, not ounces. Poor little guys.

Now I’m inside, and momma bird is on the porch. I see her. She is flying around and calling over and over. I don’t that bird’s brains are small, but I know that she misses them and wonders where they are. This is sad. Nature makes me sad sometimes. Go down a few posts and listen to that Dolly Parton song for me. It’s a fitting dirge for the little guys.

I want to see this soon somewhere:

And I may need to buy a birdfeeder today for the poor momma who is still out there calling.

Life went on during all of the birdy drama. On Saturday night, after the final home bout of the Carolina Rollergirls (go Tai Chi-tahs!), I went out on a night shoot with the Raleigh Flickr Group organized by Daniel. Despite a downpour in the middle of it, some great shots were taken by all. I will share a particularly great one of yours truly taken by Engelfish, who I repeatedly say is that only person who gets to take my picture. I’m, of course, kidding. I have a number of friends who have taken WONDERFUL pictures of me, despite my camera anxiety and tendency to mug anxiety whenever a camera is aimed my way. I’ve learned that I’m best off while on these shoots just trying to relax and continue what I’m doing when I detect a camera trained on me. Chris’s directive style actually gives me something to focus on instead of my anxiety. You’d think this would have gone away after all the time I spend with these people… but I digress.

View all the pictures that have been uploaded so far from the shoot. Over time, the total number of images will grow as more people get around to uploading and tagging. This was created using a neat little site I’ve just found (thanks, Sooz) called Splashr. I recommend it highly!

Had this Dolly Parton song in my head all day. It’s from her 1999 bluegrass album of the same title, Little Sparrow:

I just went outside and checked, bringing fresh spaghetti and water. I’m pretty sure they are dead. The top paper towel covers them, and I haven’t heard mom today. They are not moving, and there is poo below one of them. Again, 99% sure that both have died, but I am going to wait until tomorrow just to see if momma needs the spaghetti… in case there are others tweeting in a nest above. If they look like they do now tomorrow, then I will find a place to put them. Not sure if I want to toss them into the woods, throw them away, bury them. I’m thinking about option #1… best they serve a good purpose in nature. It isn’t as tragic as if they had been killed by my cats, or if I was 12 years old… It’s sad though.