March 10, 2008
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Birds
Back in early January, I bought two big birdfeeders and a sack of birdseed. I filled & hung both feeders outside our house (which is so in the middle of the woods) and the kids (and I) eagerly watched the feeders off and on for signs of bird activity. Weeks passed, and there were no birds. Not even one! I was really bummed-- I felt sort of personally slighted. Was the seed I bought not good enough? Not the right kind? How can there not be any hungry birds in the woods? And with all this snow on the ground? I mean.... what gives??? I asked a lot of people for advice, and didn't get much help. Finally, after a month or so, a nuthatch showed up. Just one nuthatch, and he only came to one feeder. I was assured that since the feeder had been "found" now, more birds would show up. But they didn't-- that one nuthatch slowly ate his way through an entire feeder of food. He came all day long, every day for weeks on end, and it was fun to watch him flit from the trees to the feeder and back again. But the other feeder sat untouched, and I still wondered why, after 2 months, more birds weren't around.
Yesterday we returned home after being gone for a week, and this morning, the first thing I saw was three chickadees at the other feeder! And the first feeder was completely empty! I was so happy-- I felt something akin to a mother's pride at all these birds showing up. (I don't know why; it was obviously nothing I personally did to bring them in!) All day today, several chickadees (and that one nuthatch) have been at the feeders, and I am so happy. I am not sure why, really, but I get such huge satisfaction out of feeding these little creatures. I like that they, in some strange way, rely on me for seeds and nuts-- sustenance to get them through the cold days and nights. So... even though I am working hard to get out from under the frustratingly predictable pile of laundry/mail/cleaning/phone calls/unpacking/shopping etc. that being gone for a week invariably brings, at least I can watch the cheery little birds, hopping and pecking and cocking their heads just so, while I do it. And, really, that makes my day so much better.
Comments (2)
I know what you mean, we got one to and it took forever for the birds to find it, but once they did it was empty within every couple days.
Hey, didn't read your post... because I just realized the time and that I need to start making supper while my kiddos are content and not waste all my time here being unproductive but as long as I am here ... I just wanted to say a quick HI and that I think of you and pray for you from time to time.
Have a good day and have fun feeding birds. (got that much out of what I did read) .
And what you did for me that time is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, it was very sweet so THANK YOU again. And my prayer for us Moms for the days is that we will be in HIS presence while doing the seemingly mundane task of life. Because in in His presence there is joy.
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