I scheduled the pruning of our shrubs back in late March, but the actual event finally happened just two days ago. Now the shrubs and crepe myrtles are bushy and full of leaves, nascent berries and other whatnots. Like these two surprised and indignant victims. They were up in a top limb about four feet above the cut and they fell to the ground still wedged into their nest. The pruner told me what happened and together we managed to wedge the cut branch back into some type of new position in the crepe myrtle. But it was late in the day. Dusk was falling, darkness coming quickly. Mama bird flew back and forth dipping down lower and lower. Finally it was all done, the branch – and nest – were wedged firmly in place, the workers were gone, darkness closed in and no mama bird was present. A deck light about 15 feet from the nest was left on, turned down to dim, and the light simulated moonlight. Careful glances stolen throughout the night revealed nothing. The light seemed like a dim hope in a vast darkness. No mama bird showed up.
Next morning revealed mama bird in action! Full of food for baby birds, she flew in again and again, and even papa bird showed up, bringing food to his little ones. Next day the baby birds were moving about within and on the nest. Now the concern is about our dogs. They would LOVE to "play" with a itty-bitty-baby bird – especially our puppy would.
Now comes today. Roofers are here to tear off our old roof and replace it. They are shown the nest and asked to "respect" the progress of life. They grinned and spoke rapidly in Spanish. At least the dogs have a day in "dog-camp". Meanwhile, the branch which contains the nest is drying up and withering, its leaves are drooping, mama bird and papa bird are flying back and forth! What will happen? How will this end? We don't know at this time. Stay tuned . . . . .
