THE US REPORT

A couple weeks ago I wrote about the Carolina Wren couple who took up residence in last year’s begonia in a hanging planter on our deck. The babies have hatched, and the wren activity fascinates us when we’re having coffee or we’re working out back. When I wrote the first story, there were a handful of eggs in the nest. Now the babies stay hungry. The mother and father work hard to feed them right now, taking turns zooming to and from the nest. I had to be patient yesterday in order to get a photo while both parents were gone—I don’t want to disturb them.

If the hound goes to barking as he often does when he catches an interesting scent or hears a loud sound, the father wren (I think it’s the father) will protest loudly. You can listen to the wren song at pages on the Cornell University website. Our adopted chicken is fascinated by the bird sounds she hears; she struts around the deck near the nest area and cocks her head every now and then. We’re curious to see what Chickie will do when the fledglings start their flying lessons. I moved a large begonia beneath the hanging basket where the nest is—hopefully that will cushion a fall if one occurs. I’m thinking about placing a large fern there as well.

Thankfully there aren’t any predators, pets or otherwise, that can get to this nest. But it’s tricky because I have to water the begonia so the foliage stays full enough to shelter the nest. That means waiting, as I do for a photo opp, for the parents to forage. Then I sneak up to the back of the basket and gently water it around the edge so it doesn’t get the nest or babies wet.

I’m hoping to get more photos once the fledglings venture out. There are some cool photos also at the blog Deep Fried Kudzu.

Watching birds make a nest and raise a family reminds me that amazing experiences often come wrapped in simplicity. (filed by Kay B. Day)

**Please note I will be offline May 1-4.