Bluebirds Over The Mountain (A Song)

Help! What do I do now?

Bluebirds over the mountain

Sea gulls over the sea.

Bluebirds over the mountain

Bring my baby to me.

Doesn't seem long since I announced the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Blue's bird family. We watched each day as they first built the nest in the box on the porch post near the bedroom door, then noticed Mrs. Blue busy laying eggs and setting on them. We watched closely, but didn't see the babies actually fly out of the box. We did see them many times in the trees nearby. I have read, and no doubt its true, bluebird parents feed the fledglings a month after they are out of the nest. Much like human parents who never seem to let go of their growing children! This was in May or early June.

One morning in late June we noticed the birds were showing a lot of interest in the little birdhouse at the end of the picket fence in the backyard. It is close to the area where we park our vehicles and I'm sure Mrs. Blue chose this because she loves to sit on the mirrors and look at herself! (This causes us to have to do an extra amount of cleaning, you see!) Anyway, it was obvious they were building in earnest and had plans for another family.

The weeks went by. We watched the little house through storms and extreme heat. Once Mrs. Blue was so hot she popped out onto the little porch to cool off! "His eye was on the sparrow" (bluebirds) as we traveled for two weeks in Colorado. During that time Mrs. Blue had been unselfishly tending her eggs/babies while Mr. Blue watched overhead singing to her and bringing her a tasty worm or two for strength. A little later came the feeding frenzy of both parents in and out with breakfast, lunch and dinner for a brood of hungry babies!

Then, when we least expected it, we were privileged to see the little fledglings emerge from the safety of their nest out into what must be a very scary world. Jack captured the last one in the photo above as the little bird tried to make up his mind--poking his head out of the hole, inching out further, then quickly pulling in, only to try again as his concerned parents called out encouragement from a tree overhead.

Finally, he popped out onto the ledge where he tottered about wondering what he should do next. During this time his dad flew down to the house and fed him a small bug. When he slipped off the edge into the flowerbed I became a little concerned. However, he landed on the soft leaves of a bush below where he sat for a minute or two before getting courage to try his wings. When he did, he swooped up to the nearby light wire, which must have been a feat in itself to catch hold of such a tiny landing pad.

We see the Blue family now and then in the trees around the yard. Mrs. Blue perched on the bedroom screen yesterday morning while we were drinking our first cup of coffee. It was comforting to see her back to her old ways of checking in on us. She and her mate, and sometimes a baby or two, perch on the birdhouse occasionally--not sure why. And, we are regularly cleaning the car doors! We are worried that she is passing this habit along to the youngsters!

I heard the above song on the radio--Jack's oldies classics. On further investigation, I learned it was originally sung by Richie Valens(this is the version I heard), who was famous for the song, La Bamba, (the movie, La Bamba, is the story of his life). He was a part of the infamous Dance Party Tour in 1959, and was killed in the plane crash with Buddy Holly. (The Day the Music Died) The song was also sung by the Beach Boys on their Sunshine Dream( or Summer Dreams) album, 1990, . I found the song on Beach Boys Greatest Hits Vol. 2. I want to get a copy of both versions. I noticed you can even get a ringtone version on your phone!

Twittering

The Blue Family Home at Mountain Springs

There's been a lot of 'twittering' going on at our house lately. No, it's not the newest internet craze! I don't even text. It's all I can do to manage this blog! Previously, I mentioned Mr. and Mrs. Blue(bird) had chosen the new bluebird house close to our bedroom door. About Mother's Day we realized the couple was spending most of their time in or around the box. Not long after that, it was apparant that babies had hatched. There has been a flurry of activity every since.

The picture above was taken from our bedroom door. Our bed is positioned so that when we awake each morning at dawn our first view is the Blue's house. They are usually already up and feeding hungry, demanding little fledglings. The parents are always greeted with a series of 'chrips and twitters'. This goes on throughout the day. Mrs. Blue usually stops long enough each morning to perch on our bedroom door screen. "Why are you humans still in bed?" I'm sure she is asking. Birds don't have the luxury of coffee in bed!

This morning when I awoke, my first thought was," How did the Blue family make the night?". Oh no! No busy parents flying in and out, no hungry twittering, nothing going on at this little house! We watched until Jack had to leave for his last day of school. He hurried out, forgot the pie for the teacher's potluck, had to turn around and come back after I called his carpool partner. On the way out of the drive (second time) he noticed a coon in the Have-A-Heart trap. Had to load him,still in the cage, in the pick up before I let the dogs out. (This is another story, coming soon to this blog) In the meantime, I had spotted Mr. and Mrs. Blue flying around the yard. Obviously picking up bugs and worms for breakfast just as every other morning.

It took me a good hour or so between phone calls (booked a week in July at Eagle's Rest) and answering emails etc.but I finally located the source of a lot of 'twittering'--a tree close to the Blue's house. I can see it as I write, and am convinced there are little bluebirds up there. My, they got an early start. Guess they could hardly wait to leave the nest this morning! I'm sure it was getting crowded in there. (This week I would often see a little head peek out). Even with my binoculars, which I keep nearby, I haven't actually seen a baby bird yet, but the parents are flying up to some branches and I will keep a look out all day. (I know, I don't get much work done!)

It is a beautiful, 'bluebird' day, unlike yesterday's fog and drizzle. It's a good day for little birds to try their wings. I wish them Godspeed.

"This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice!"

All Creatures...

Looking out at Mrs. Blue looking in

The bluebird couple has appeared again this spring--the fourth in a row! I named them Mr. and Mrs. Blue for obviously reasons. I decided since they insist on being a part of the family, they need to have a name other than just "the bluebird couple." As in years past, they hang around the porch going from window to window,often just sitting observing us humans inside. I wonder what they could be thinking! Personally, I think Mrs. Blue wants to move in with us and build her nest in one of the birdhouses displayed over the kitchen cabinets! Mr. Blue keeps trying to convince her to be content with the birdhouse provided on the porch railing.--one they have used for two years. I have to admit, it could use a new coat of paint! I saw his sweet gesture of presenting her with a juicy worm again this year. Who says birds don't have emotions!

Eventually, the Blue family will probably settle down in the house on the railing, and go about the business of raising a family of little "Blues". I can only pray for their safety. Even so close to the house, they are subject to dangers from high winds and rain (the winds last Sunday blew the house off the porch despite it being wired to a post!); and creatures-- from squirrels to snakes to hawks to raccoons-- who prowl the earth looking for innocents.

I saw the first hummingbird today. We actually saw the first ones at the neighbor's cabin yesterday. I hurried to get a feeder out early this morning, and sure enough, there was a hummer checking us out! Right now only a feeder or two is necessary, but in the heat of summer, we will be filling four to five quart feeders several times a day.

The goldfinches, who feed at the thistle seed sacks year 'round, are now sporting their brightest yellow feathers (at least the males are). The females are too busy getting ready for the little ones to worry about what they wear. Obviously humans don't think that way! I just purchased two new jackets--one in a beautiful blueberry and another in rosy coral. Couldn't resist the colors. Jack's new outfit is black and green--not quite so showy, but nice.

I look out the window and see new calves running across the green pastures just for the fun of it, and newly born kids (goats) literally kicking up their heels just for the joy of being alive on such a wonderful spring day in the Ozarks. I watch as chipmunks scamper from log to log just outside the yard (always wary of dogs), and squirrels flying from tree to tree as they chase each other--happy to have survived the cold, harsh winter, and secure in the knowledge that a food supply will be abundant in the months ahead. Much chattering takes place as they prepare their nests for the babies to come.

I think God's creatures have a good idea. I plan to get out, maybe go for a hike down to the waterfall. It is still a little cool and most of the wildflowers won't be out yet, but the sunshine will! And, oh yes! I will mow the grass for the first time this year, and probably pull up a few early weeds poking through the mulch in the flowerbeds--I won't even call it work today! Oh, the joys of springtime on the mountains!

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Cecil Frances Alexander

Where Are Those Woolly Worms?

Winterwonderland?

I'm still a little confused about the woolly worms and the persimmons as a prediction of a harsh winter. (See "Something Told the Wild Geese") However, the guys at the hardware store and the numerous fogs in August and the neighbor's huge woodpile certainly must have some credibility when it comes to predicting a bad winter!

The ice storm of 2009 will go down in history as the worst Northwest Arkansas has ever endured. Every single home in Newton County was without power after the storm hit on January 27. The next morning all of the Ozarks woke see ice up to 2 inches on everything! We knew it was bad, but it took several days to assess how devastating the storm really was. We were without power 12 days and were so blessed to have gas heat, cook stove, gas hot water heater and a wonderful generator! We suffered only minor inconveniences compared to many.

Yesterday, sixteen days after the icy blast hit, Carroll Electric announced all customers were back on line--two days ahead of projections. Thanks go to a lot of power guys from nearby states who moved in and worked diligently to replace broken poles (2500 total), string wires, and restore power through very rough terrain. Thanks guys!

This week the bluebird pairs are everywhere! By the way, one little bluebird actually spent his nights roosting in the porch rafters. We watched him from the bedroom window several cold, icy mornings as he hopped onto the downspout to check out the early morning scene before flying out. Heaven knows where he found his breakfast! When the ice melted, he moved on to spend his nights somewhere else--hopefully with a little female friend. We feed numbers of birds at the feeders, but so far, our little bluebirds reject anything we offer--raisins, berries from the freezer, suet cakes. We are ordering what is supposed to be a favorite of theirs--mill worms! We'll see!

We stepped out on the porch this morning just as the sun was rising over the mountain. Bluebirds were already up and singing. Their song is not the cheery chirping of some birds, but a calming, reassuring song of hope. Reminding all of us that "His eye is on the sparrow". It is nice to get back to normal for a few days!

Oh, no! The weatherman says "chance of snow"! We love snow!

He sends his command to the earth...

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them: He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Psalm 147:15-18

Springtime Notes

Negotiating the slide on Highway 103 near Mountain Springs Cabins

The above picture was taken this week. We have watched this slide since last summer when it was only a bump in the road. The recent rains have turned it into a major hole--one of the biggest potholes you will find anywhere. And you think you have potholes on your street!! So far there have been no accidents. The highway people are watching it daily, but say it will have to dry up quite a bit in order to make repairs. Many people believe this is the result of clearing the mountainside (the downhill side) of all trees. Several years ago it was woodlands.

The Trumpeter Swans have left the valley--hopefully for their summer home in the north. In the meantime, the tremendous rains of late have resulted in a beaver dam breaking, which made much of the pond water drain out. Again, it is what happens when man intervenes with nature. Several years ago someone trapped all the beavers from the pond, and now the dams they were keeping up have broken.

On a happy note: the little female bluebird is still watching me from the window. She sits on a chair and keeps me company while I do my Bible study each morning. (This is absolutely the truth!) Her suitor is trying very hard to convince her to move into the nearby house that we set up on the porch rail. It is only a few feet from her perch at the window. This morning I saw a sweet little bluebird moment. I actually watched him as he brought her a tasty? (in the bluebird world) tidbit. She was perched on the rail and he flew up and put the worm/bug in her beak. She accepted it gratefully, which probably encouraged him immensely. Jack says she will set up housekeeping when it is time. He also said the little fellow must be madly in love to put up with such a crazy female!! Of course, he was referring to birds only. (Not to any humans we might know!)

The storms and rains haven't slowed down springtime. It's here! We are taking a hike in the afternoons on those beautiful days in between the rains to look at wildflowers and check for morel mushrooms. We did a short hike up Leatherwood Creek starting at Beaver Jim's cabin across the low water bridge at Ponca. Beautiful! Have seen many flowers, few mushrooms!

We have not inherited the earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children.

Native American Saying

A Day In the Mountains Is Like...

Curious Bluebird

The outdoors was calling---wind, the dogs, the birds, the warm temperatures all seemed to beckon me. There were patches of blue sky showing between puffy, billowing clouds--a sign rain may be moving in tonight. I was reading through a mind-boggling book on how to increase web traffic in one weekend. I am now into my second week and reading! I think I will pull Maags into this. HTML is to much for my mind to sort out!! Besides, my little bluebird friend is waiting at the window.

The curious little female bluebird has been a constant visitor at our windows for at least 3 weeks. We have given up trying to reason with her. No, little bird, you cannot make your nest in our house this year! Last year she took up housekeeping in a box beside the door. It was a birdhouse meant to be just a part of my outdoor decorations. She had other ideas and persuaded her beloved to join her in making her home as close to humans as possible. We startled her quite a few times when we opened the door just a few feet away from the nest. Nevertheless, despite dogs, humans, slamming doors, and other bothersome things that would have run most birds away, the bluebird couple managed to raise a couple of fine little ones.

We never knew exactly when the babies left the nest. We heard little chirps coming from the box when we walked by for a week or two. Then, one day while we weren't at home, our bluebird guests moved out. We think we saw the babies several times in nearby trees, flitting and fluttering, trying out their new wings. It is always interesting to see mom and dad devotedly bringing the independent little things their bug-meals just as they did when they were babes in the nest. We never stop being parents!

Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone.

The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come,

And the singing of doves fills the air.

Song of Solomon

A Time for Everything

We are so ready for Spring!! The picture above was taken by Ed last weekend when we had one of our biggest snows of the winter--7 inches! The snow soon melted, and patches of green are showing up everywhere. That is good for our wildlife, who have had a hard time this winter. The deer herd, which was numbering 20 or so last week, has dwindled to a few stragglers who are probably waiting around to see what we plant in the garden. We are discussing what we will have to do to save the garden (and flowers) this year. It is one thing to throw out a little corn for desperate wildlife in the winter, but quite another to offer them an "all you can eat" buffet all summer!

Bluebirds!! Everywhere I look, as walk around our 65 acres, I see bluebirds flitting around our bluebird boxes. We cleaned them out a week ago, and bluebird couples are already moving in. We have one bluebird female who flies up to the window on the porch, attaches herself to the screen, and looks in as if to say she really would like to make her nest in the living room. Maybe she sees the many bird figures and nests I have on display, and thinks she would like to join them!

Jack spotted the first martin scout on a unexpectedly warm day just before the snow hit last week. We quickly got the martin box up. Minutes later the sparrows were checking it out! We have discovered martins will usually run them away when the time comes to move in.

We are planning a wonderful week with cabin guests coming for Spring Break. Besides minding the cabins, we are planning a few hikes to see waterfalls and early spring flora-- maybe even look for morels; do a little garden prep, including planting potatoes--old timers up here say plant potatoes on St. Patrick's Day. And, of course, we will slip in a visit with the grandson and family on Easter.

Remember--There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecles. 3:1

Happy Spring!!

Bluebird Days

As I stepped outside early this morning, a cheery bluebird greeted me with his "good morning song." It is "trash day" and that means loading up garbage, plastics, aluminum cans, and paper to put down beside the highway for the Newton County Recycle truck to pick up. Frost was still on the truck windshield, but as I looked around the yard, there were bluebirds everywhere! A good sign! I told the dogs it would be another "bluebird day" here on the mountain. We have always marveled at the number of bluebirds who make our mountain their year round home (or maybe it is "their" mountain, since they were here first!) They don't seem to mind sharing, and we do our best to be good neighbors by providing extra houses and food.

The dogs were busy running around the yard picking up the fading scent of a wandering night animal who has been scavenging for a leftover scrap from the dogs' food bowls. Skunks, 'possums, and armadillos have been seen wandering through the yard during the night! None of these are really welcome. Deer and rabbits leave reminders that they, too, checked out the backyard in the night! One spring the deer ate all 24 buds off my "Aunt Marie's" rose bush during a late night visit! Bunnies regularly nibble the tulip leaves as they pop out of the ground in the spring.

When the late killing frost hit us on April 9 last year, Jack said it would effect the wildlife the entire year. We are seeing that prediction come true as an increasingly large herd of deer come running to feed each afternoon when Jack drives his 4-wheeler down in the hollow near the house with a bucket of corn. Even the 8 point buck has had to give up some of his wariness of humans in order to survive. We have counted up to 20 deer lately. We can only give them enough corn to keep a little fat on their bones. They are still dependent on whatever they can scrape up in the woods and pastures around the house.

We try to keep the bird feeders full of sunflowers and finch seed, but the squirrels often get their share first. I can't deny them a meal, so we just put out more seed. It's the same with the crows, blackbirds, and rowdy bluejays. All need nourishment during these cold winter days. The bright cardinals seem to slip in occasionally along with a covy of quail, doves, juncos, fieldlarks, woodpeckers, chickadees, goldfinches (though they have their own seed sacks, they steal a few sunflowers), and a few others I can't remember. I counted up to 26 different species feeding in the backyard at one time last year. Even a roadrunner makes an appearance now and then. Though I think he has other ideas about his meals!!

This is still early January, and we will have many more dreary, cold, foggy, and snowy days before real springtime, but always sprinkled in now and then, will be a day like today--a "bluebird day." And, the wildlife will bask in the sun, nibble on whatever food they can find, and wait for the next feeding from the "humans in the house." This verse comes to mind:

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life...Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns. For your heavenly Father feeds them." Matt. 6:25a-26