Bird Watching

Polly loved watching birds. She had made a simple tray type bird feeder out of rough lumber and attached it outside the window over her kitchen sink. She could raise the window and add feed and water without ever going outside, especially nice during the cold winter months. But most importantly she could see their every move just inches away from where she stood washing dishes or preparing a simple meal.

She could tell you stories about the birds! She knew what they were saying and would repeat the sounds made by the bluejays screaming "Snake! Snake! Snake!" or the scream "Gotcha!" made by the hawk when he swooshed down to grab a field mouse.

"It's the father cardinal that feeds the babies so the mother can go build another nest for the next batch of little ones," she explained. "Most of the time males pick a lifetime partner. Even though they don't live for a long time."

She would laugh and add "Like men, there's a few of them that's unfaithful and has another partner on the side!  You can watch and see 'em trying to keep both nests of babies fed!"

I can still hear her insisting she knew how courtship worked! "But the females have a say in who they choose for a mate. You can watch them, it's like they are flirting. To prove he will be a good provider for the babies, the male cardinal will feed the female. The best feeder wins!"

I didn't truly believe her until I became a birdwatcher. "Oh my goodness, would you look at that!"

"Well, maybe, I'm not hungry but….I'll try just one seed…."