May 17 2009
OMG – then there were three!
Pre-Ramble: At the risk of sounding like Dr. Seuss on a backyard nature hunt, I was all ready to call out the fact that yesterday, our little bird nest had gained a third egg. !
That’s right — every day for the past three days, Mother Chipping Sparrow has added another tiny blue egg to the brood. I am just fascinated by this nest … I must check on it fifty times a day. My husband isn’t nearly as taken with the whole thing. Basically, he just rolls his eyes and says something dismissive and passive-aggressive like, “Great.”
So, then I got to thinking — really — do your readers care about some bird laying eggs on a front porch in suburban Minnesota? Where’s the witty commentary on the important issues of the day? The keen observations on innovation, creativity, and human behavior? Where are the uplifting stories? The wise-cracks about celebrities and political figures? Advice for the President’s dog? … So, I figured a couple days of this birdy-cam news is all anyone really needs…
UNTIL TODAY!!
This morning, plain as day, right there in the bottom of the nest, was A FOURTH EGG!!!
Try as I might, Mother-B (shown above — not actual size) returned to the nest before I was able to scramble for the camera. I haven’t been able to catch her in an on-leave moment ever since.
Four eggs in four days … this Quatro-chick is really delivering! The bird book said 3-5 eggs per brood was the range … and here we are at egg number four! Will there be a fifth tomorrow? Will she exceed the national averages and go for egg number six?? This is almost more exciting than the American Idol finale! (Ok, maybe not.) (And my husband rolls his eyes about that too.)
The Take-Away: Sometimes, you just need a break from all the gloom and doom …, the tabloid drama …, and take a look at the stuff going on in your own backyard. Sure, the market might be down and gas prices might be up, but, hey – we’ve got four eggs in the nest!!
We suggest a camera on a tripod, ready to go, for egg five and ?? six.
Hey Kathie- I care about the nest updates(sorry Kirk). I may have to swing by and see them. I love reading your blog. It always puts a smile on my face!