Baby birdie takes flight

This morning we went to mom's to help her with the computer.  And her tv. 

And I spent time with Aunt Millie (who now just lives across the street - so convenient!)

Then we went and had lunch with Dad at the hospital.

Time well spent with my sweet, precious family.

I spent about 2 1/2 hours this afternoon looking in on this family!

Some may think it was time wasted.

But Jesus Himself loves birds and cares for them.

 Last week, the nest in our redbud tree had 3 little babies.  But this morning, there was only 1!

 Mommy (or Daddy) was chirping at it.
"Come on, little one.  You can do it!  Come down here!"
"But Mommy, the nest is so comfortable!  I don't have to be squeezed in here anymore and I just like it so much."

"I'm hungry, Mommy.  Feed me please!"

"You'll just have to come down here.  I will give you a juicy bug.... That's right.  Step right onto the edge of the nest!"

"Mommy!  I'm out of my nest!  I did it!  I did it!"

"Ok.  Now flap your wings and come to me!"

"That is too scary.  I think I will go back to my cozy nest."

"Oh, little one.  I guess I will just have to bring the juicy bug to you."

"I have the bug, but you will have to try to jump out of this nest for it!"

"That's right!  Just hop right out of the nest."

"Here's your reward!  A nice juicy bug!"

"Now, you must learn to fly."
"Don't push me, Mommy!  I don't want to leave this tree!"
Mommy tried to push her baby bird.  She pecked at him from the side and from behind, but the little baby dug his claws into the tree.

"NO, no, no, Mommy!!"
"Good grief, little one.  You will have to go some time!  Ok.  I'll come back later."

"Maybe I can do it.  My brother and sister did it so maybe I can too."

"Yikes!  This is so scary!"

"Maybe if I go this way."

"No, I like the other way better"

"Mommy!!!  I flew!!  I flew!!"

"I knew you could do it!!"

"Let me try it again!!"

"Where shall we go, Mommy?"
"Let's go over to the brush so we can safely hide from any kitties in the neighborhood."

The End

Walking

Yesterday morning I decided to walk to the hospital to see Dad and have lunch with him.  I debated about it.  Since my illness, often exercize seems to make me feel worse, but I know it is good for me and I need it.  I decided to take it slow.

Does it seem later than usual for the geese to be laying eggs?  We had just been talking about the fact that we hadn't seen any baby geese about this year.  We always have little babies walking about the area.  They really are so cute!  (of course, the millions of geese that decided to winter here was absurd and hopefully that won't happen next year!!) 

 Look at this weed!  Like a GIANT dandelion!!

 It was a terribly windy day - good for the wheat.  Harvest is around the corner!

 My husband was here at the fire station, along with other hospital personnel.  They are doing disaster training - in case of a tornado or bombing.  They are learning what not to do and what to do; lessons learned from Joplin.

Notice the flags?  There were some firemen out there so I asked about it.  I guess the governor ordered them flown at half staff in honor of  Rep. Bob Bethell who was killed in an accident.

 My friend's husband's office.  (Check out her link - she has a new book out!)

 I wish I had my zoom lens.  The male is flaunting his stuff at the female.  Shortly after, another male came by and chased him away.

I think it is funny that the sidewalk needs a "curve" sign.  Isn't it rather obvious?





 The neighborhood we lived
at for 12 years.  I loved it there,
but love our new home too.

 This house belonged to our friend's kids who are now in Ethiopia.

 I finally made it to the hospital.  It took close to half an hour.  I walked s-l-o-w-l-y. 

We had a wonderful lunch together and then went back to his room.  We talked and also wept together.  This is hard.  We listened to some worship CD's together.  God is good.  He is ever present!

         He will call upon me, and I will 

           be with him in trouble,

                  I will deliver him and honor him.

      With long life will I satisfy him

              and show him my salvation.

       It is good to praise the Lord

     and make music to Your Name,

             O Most High,

             to proclaim Your love in the morning

                    and Your faithfulness at night....

                I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

                  How great are Your works, O Lord...

              The righteous will flourish like a palm tree....

            They will still bear fruit in old age,

                  they will stay fresh and green.

                                    Psalm 91,92

Daddy is 89 and God has truly blessed him.  Such a man of God.

He told me that he and mom have a thing they do each night.  They always kiss and tell eachother that they love eachother.  Then he cried as he said he didn't get to do that last night.  But yesterday evening, as we left, he and mom kissed and again said "I love you, dear" to one another.  So sweet!
         

Watch out!

 When Mindy was here this weekend, she commented that our back yard is a bird haven - maybe a bird heaven too.  We have a LOT of birds!!  The girls enjoy getting out the binoculars to observe them.

Can you guess what kind of bird this is?

She is a female red-wing blackbird.  See the male in the picture below?  Seems like so often in the animal kingdom, males are so colorful and beautiful, but the females are, well, rather plain.

A baby bunny was hopping about - mother rabbit was close by watching.

This robin nested in the tree close by.  Al was weeding and it flew right at him - at his face!  Almost hit him, but at the last minute veered away.  He decided to wear a hat to protect his head from being "bombed"! 

Hannah thought his hat needed a little decoration!

Usually one of the parent flies off to catch something for the babies to eat.  When it returns, the other parent flies off and takes a turn,.

I was taking pictures one day (from far off) when I saw both mommy and daddy birdie fly away.  I quickly jumped on the bench and got a picture.  The bird is a little fuzzy - I didn't take time to focus, because I was afraid the parents would come back and swoop at me!  I could sort of make out that there was at least 1 baby bird.  Usually they have 3 or 4. 

 Today, Al said he would brave it and take a photo.  We have 3 baby birdies!!   

And the parents didn't even come swoop at hiim!   I hope I can get a picture when they learn to fly!!