Nature

The Joy of Birds 2

I am not sure that this, in fact, the best title……maybe ‘the alarm clocks’ and ‘adventures with birds’ would be more accurate!!

Yesterday my sleep was disturbed by a call I did not recognize! Oh wow it’s really early and there is a new warbler in town!! Ok, I looked at the clock – 5.30am!!! And I thought my wattle bird was early!

Great, the unknown bird has stopped calling – hopefully succeeded in it’s needs being met! Then, however, a host of other birds ‘took over’ – magpies, mynas and, of course, ‘my’ wattle bird. Not sure what news is being imparted this morning in particular, or maybe the bird calls occur every day; but this is the first day I have heard them in concert.

I imagine them singing ‘come on one and all…..the day has begun’…..ok, at least for some!

Oh dear, yesterday there was a choir – today my wattle bird has sent a crow in it’s stead!! What a raucous cry to hear first thing in the morning. I am appealing to ‘my’ wattle bird – please send a dove next time!!

Bird Poo

Walking to my car this morning I noticed that an elephant had pooed on my windscreen! Am I being serious – you decide! The birds in the tree nearby had apparently overeaten, judging by the amount of excrement, and the wind blew their offerings to my car!.

I am aware of a Russian superstition that if a bird poops on you, or anything you own, it’s said to be good luck. The more birds involved, the more prosperous you will be – ok I am waiting to see what eventuates!! Thus far the luckiest and most prosperous person has been the guy at the car wash. Maybe my car was becoming an eyesore, with dust and spiderwebs, and the birds decided it needed a wash!

My array of birds

Sitting in my ‘office’ I have a large window through which I am treated to the antics of a range of birds. There are 2 pigeons huddling together on the branch of their favourite tree – they could not get closer if they tried!! A tiny black bird, species unknown, is ‘running’ around with a worm in it’s mouth and, I have just spotted ‘a new’ wattle bird There are 2 brightly coloured fuscia bushes in my line of vision – the wattle bird is intent on trying to eat them….oh dear, definitely not palatable. It has just flown off to find more appetizing food.

No I am not in the process of working at present, I am not being distracted….it is after hours,. Watching the birds has become part of my self-care!

Two ‘adventures’

Having driven to Lorne, via the Great Ocean Road, we decided to have lunch on a bench in the sunlight. Within 2 minutes we were inundated by a hoard of cockatoos intent on sharing our food. Extremely bold and unafraid they had no hesitation on helping themselves to our repast.

Yes there are signs exhorting people not to feed the birds. Nobody, however, has taught the birds to read! When constant shooing failed to deter them from a free lunch, we retreated to our car, in haste, where we could eat in peace – we were hungry and did not want a possible fine for something for which was not of our doing.

While having lunch in Zeehan, Tasmania, on a cold and wet day we managed to find a gazebo with a few benches where we could enjoy our picnic lunch. Within a few minutes of sitting down we were joined by a tame chicken who insisted on sharing our repast. We fed our guest small amounts off wholegrain bread and a little lettuce – the chicken was extremely sociable and ate directly from our hands. Having had sufficient to eat, the chicken left and walked home across the paddock. Gosh, you never know who will join you for lunch!

Yes, as far as I know chickens are birds and have not, as yet, been reclassified. Happy to be corrected.

Take care, stay safe, remember that smiling and laughter are good for all of us.