Pampers and Paklava

Chickadee-dee-dee

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We have a chickadee family nesting in our birdhouse again this year. Watching Mama and Papa fly back and forth–literally hundreds of times each day–reminds me that parenting is a lot of work, regardless of whether your offspring have legs or wings! Occasionally they stop for a moment to take a quick bath in the birdbath, but then it’s back to work.

Chickadee father

Mama and Papa chickadee–mate for life–and lay one clutch of  4 to 12 eggs early spring to mid-summer. Eggs are incubated by Mama eleven to thirteen days. During this time, Papa feeds her. After hatching, first Papa and then both the Mama and Papa  feed their rapidly growing chicks. Young fledge in fourteen to eighteen days and remain with the parental pair for another three to four weeks.

Meanwhile, back at the nest, Mama and Papa look bedraggled. Their feathers are a bit unkempt and they look–well, harried. I know how they feel! I’m also excited with anticipation. Two years ago a set of triplets appeared in our backyard. They were absolutely adorable. Fingers crossed a healthy brood emerges soon!

Chickadee coming out of birdhouse

Heading back into the birdhouse

Leaving the birdhouse for food

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Take the road less traveled, Beth

Nesting

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Far from the city’s dust and heat,

I get but sounds and odors sweet.

Who can wonder I love to stay,

Week after week, here hidden away,

In this sly nook that I love best–

This little brown house like a ground-bird’s nest.

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox, American poet and writer 1850-1919

Chickadee on a branch

Chickadee nest building

 Chickadee heading into the birdhouse

Chickadee tail

Chickadee poking his head out of the nest

Chickadee leaving the nest

Chickadeeon taking flight from the birdhouse

Chickadee outta the nest

Want to feather your nest with more flights of fancy? Check out Delicious Baby Photo Friday!

Spring cleaning is for the birds

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Spring has hatched. Tulips are poking their colorful heads out of the ground, trees are covered in flowering buds, and birds are scouting for locations to build a nest.

Last spring, one of our two birdhouses was “rented” for the first time when a pair of Chickadees moved in. Weeks passed as we watched mama and papa fly back and forth, carrying twigs and moss to their new home. It was very exciting when we finally started to hear the peeps of baby chicks until, one day, there they were: the three amigos.

Three Chickadee amigos

Just this past weekend, we decided it was time for a bit of birdie spring cleaning, so we opened up the nesting box, to clear out last year’s “bedding” and make way for a new tenants.

Spider web on birdhouse

In one box (where there were never any chicks), we found the beginnings of a nest.

Chickadee nest small

But in the box where the baby chicks were hatched, we found a glorious nest filled with an impressive collection of twigs, leaves, moss, and…

Chickadee nest large 2

…even a tiny Chickadee feather.

Chickadee feather in nest

Here’s to spring 2013. May it bring color to our eyes, music to our ears and laughter to our hearts.

Chickadee fledgling side view

A feathered fall

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Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

~George Eliot

Chickadee reflectionChickadee reflection

Duck at Washington ArboretumDuck at the Washington Park Arboretum

Crow flying at Washington Park ArboretumCrow flying at Washington Park Arboretum

Flicker on the fencepostFlicker on the fencepost

Heron on the pondHeron on the pond

Squabble at the birdbathSquabble at the birdbath

Flicker taking flightFlicker taking flight

Want to see more flights of fancy? Check out Delicious Baby Photo Friday!

In a family sort of way

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For lease birdhouseThree years ago we put up a bird house. No renters.

The next year we advertised. Still, no renters.

Then last fall, we put up two bird houses, raised their height, and changed the location. And….

WE’VE GOT TENANTS. Chickadee tenants. A birdie family who are “with child”…or would that be, with chickadee.

In the past few days there’s been a LOT of activity at one house in particular. All sorts of comings and goings. I can’t wait to see what the upcoming weeks bring.

Since my own little duo recently became a trio with the addition of Baby Bird, I feel all the more excited that our bird friends are in a family sort of way!

Check out more cute little things on Delicious Baby Photo Friday!

Chickadee

Chickadee renter

Chickadee passing in seed

Chickadee emerges