Butterfly through the window

Butterfly through the window, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Yesterday- August 10. Our picture window is more like a butterfly movie window. Yesterday, we watched dozens of butterflies landing and hanging out in the azalea bush under the window. It was amazing, we saw at least 4 different kinds of butterflies, almost always in pairs. Is it butterfly mating season?

Ducks and ducklings at Lake Eola

Ducks and ducklings at Lake, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Yesterday, the sun came out for about an hour. We were lucky enough to be out at Lake Eola and caught this scene. It helps to watch after we lost all the mocking bird babies yesterday. It has been raining non stop and I think the parents simply gave up on the nest. I tried to save them, but to no avail. It was very sad. But this video is very happy and sweet. Life goes on.

Mockingbird hatchling #1

Mockingbird hatchling!, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Mabel has been sitting on her nest diligently the last few days. I have been careful not to walk by and disturb her. Today, she finally flew away for a moment so I could have a peek. I saw one tiny fuzzy head poking up. Mark took this blurry picture, he is my designated picture taker in these situations. I kept watch for Mabel and Marvin- who flew into the tree right next to Mark- I thought for sure they were gonna pull an all out hawk-style attack, but they didn't- they just squawked a lot. We quickly got out of there, I don't want to endanger the nest. Hopefully, the rest of the crew will arrive soon. We have to think of names! First born, I think- Maurice.

All about nesting.

Today I went out to check on the nests. Both mama birds were sitting in their nests, so I couldn't see the status of the eggs or hatchlings. It was a sweet sight though to see. The mamas all nestled in cozy and I guess, content. If birds possess that feeling. Today, I'm staying home and nesting with my little one, although I won't be sitting on her. I've spent the last two days up at the school getting ready for Art Night and poor Lilah has been dragged along. She is pretty amazing, she just sits there at the table I have set up for her and contentedly eats or plays. Occasionally, she would insist on sitting in my lap, and I wouldn't be able to take her, because I was working on something. I felt very bad. But I made it up to her last night and played and sat with her all evening and gave her my undivided attention. Going to try to do that again today.

Baby Birds!

Cardinal hatchilings, originally uploaded by bossamama.

These aren't Mabel and Marvin's eggs, they still haven't hatched. I found another nest in the backyard yesterday! These are cardinal hatchlings and they are in a nest in our orange tree. I was in the backyard and I heard the distinct cry of baby birds- I investigated and found these guys. Mark came out and stood in a chair to take this picture. I was too scared that the parents would come and attack me- although cardinals don't seem to be too worried about people. They just watched us as we stuck our heads near the nest and came to check on them when we left. Baby birds aren't too awfully cute at first, in fact if I found one of these creatures in my house, I'd probably scream and freak out. They look the most dinosaur-like at this stage! I think this picture is sideways, but I have a headache and I can't focus very well right this minute. It does look to me as if the mama has brought them a dill pickle though- doesn't it?

Too much nature

All this nature is starting to freak me out. Yesterday it was hawk-mockingbird wars. Then we discovered that the pile of wings and bloody remains in our yard were probably from a mockingbird, meaning that the hawk had already eaten one unfortunate soul. That's why he was just sitting there in our yard letting the other birds peck at him. He was eating and he wasn't going to be bothered. Thank goodness this morning, I saw both Mabel and Marvin show up and sit next to each other on the wire above their nest. I was so happy to see them and told them so. They just looked at me.

Then later this morning we came across this:


A turtle digging and apparently laying eggs right out in the open by our back gate. It was a pretty big turtle and seemed totally undisturbed by us watching it as it dug. I looked up turtle egg gestation and it's around 60-90 days. So we'll keep an eye out. Though, I have a feeling the raccoons who like to use our back yard as a latrine will soon sniff them out and have a snack.

It's like Mutual of Omaha around here. Anyone remember that show? So just when I thought I was finally safe and ensconced in the house from nature... I opened the garage door to find this:


I was horrified. Snakes are okay out in the yard but not in my garage where I walk barefoot and do the laundry. Mickey just stood there and would not come in the house. I knew Minnie would soon run out there and grab the snake and bring it in, she's done it before. So I slammed the door shut (and then got the camera.) I coaxed Mickey into the house and then I tried to pick the snake up with our handy broom and stick dustpan. I've done it before, when I absolutely had to get a snake out of the kitchen. I tried to scoop up the snake, but it started coming up the steps toward me! I was screaming and trying to stop it, but it wouldn't stop!!! Then I started pushing it back down the steps with the broom and it finally slithered off under the washing machine! I pray that it doesn't die under there, because we have learned that snakes smell very bad when they die in a hot garage. It didn't look injured, so I hope it is smart enough to get back outside under the garage door. I will be freaking out every time I do laundry now.

I don't think I would do well living out in the woods or something. This is why I don't like camping. I love nature and animals, but I like them outside, not inside my home- being nice and not killing each other in front of me! This happens to me each year I realize, when I spend a lot of time outdoors. I just get plain freaked out by nature.

Rumble in the Front Yard!

Photos used for dramatic reenactment, the hawk was on the ground

and Mavis, Mable and Morton were attacking from the roof of our house!

Red Tail Hawk

Today we arrived home from piano lessons to find our Mockingbird couple, whom we have since named Mabel and Marvin, viciously attacking a hawk that was at least 4 times their size! There was even a third Mockingbird involved, perhaps Mabel's brother Morton? At first all we could see were the little birds squawking and flapping their wings and dive bombing. I was sure they were trying to protect their nest and we approached to see if we could help. Suddenly this large hawk ( I think a Red Tail like pictured) flew off from where it had been sitting on the ground. It left behind a big pile of feathers and what looks like some red flesh (eww.) I ran over to see if it had eaten the eggs already and thank goodness it hadn't. I looked it up and read that Mockingbirds are one of the most vigorous defenders of their young. I'll say! Bravo Marvin and Mabel (and Morton!)

Mockingbirds

Last weekend this Mockingbird couple decided to build a nest in our arbor. They spent a week building the nest, bringing tiny bits of things every few hours and meticulously weaving them into a beautiful nest. The nest is right at my chin level so I can peek right in!



I'm so excited because I found 3 eggs in the nest this morning. It was hard to get a good picture because I was terrified that the birds were going to attack me. I love looking at birds and I think they're amazing creatures and want to learn more about them. But if they come too close to me, I get a bit freaked out. Now, we'll wait and see if 3 baby mockingbirds hatch. I'm just amazed that these birds picked this spot, I walk through the arbor everyday to water and garden. We can also see the arbor from the girl's bedroom. Maybe we'll get to watch the babies hatch and grow!