"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Spot on Sun Room ( Bird's Nests )

~~~Our sun-room is a small room that is full of my bird's nests, and geraniums spending the winter in more agreeable climate, the assorted house plants and one very, very noisy bird. Here is a bird's nest in the chandelier in our sun room.~~~"Most birds build a new nest each year.Some that have more than one brood each season will build a new nest for each brood." Peterson's Field Guides' WESTERN BIRD"S NESTS~~Another bird nest in our sun room displayed by the field guide to bird's nests.( below) "Exact time of year when each species nests is not given, principally because it is impossible to be accurate. Not only does nesting time vary from south to north and from sea level to mountaintop, in the range of some species, but it varies greatly in the same species in the same geographic location. External factors such as rainfall, temperature, water levels, amount of snowfall, and similar phenomena may influence time of nesting from year to year." Peterson Field Guides WESTERN BIRD"S NESTS ( book displayed below) ~Even MORE bird's nests...I have bird's nests in the plants and trees in my sun room. I found the book identifying bird's nests ( above ) in an antique store. I still have not identified all my bird's nests, but it is fun trying. By the way, all bird's nests except one , were collected well after nesting season and most of the eggs in the nests are from my Zebra finches and doves, and a few eggs are from my tiny bantam hens. "Even during breeding season the place where an adult bird is discovered is not necessarily the place where it's nest is located." Peterson Field Guide ~This little fairy (below)is in her own nest, and I placed her in a big pot with a fig tree and there are a few bird's nests in the pot and in the fig tree.
~Here is a close up of the little fairy in her nest. ~
~Here is another nest in an IKEA candle lantern. In the spring I hang this lantern on my porch. "The nest itself is described in detail ( in book) Materials will vary with availability. For some species this has been noted, but readers should bear in mind that Spanish Moss would no more be available to a bird in Montana than spruce needles would be to a bird in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The basic structure of of the nest of most species is so uniformly true to type that even though materials used may vary, the format generally does not. An American Robin nest in Washington or Oregon with mosses built into it still looks very much like a Robin's nest in Arkansas with mud and grasses predominating." (fr. above mentioned guide book) ~I placed this nest in a small fig tree in my sun room. There are some very long, coarse hairs ( I think horse hairs ) in this nest, and some fishing line ! "Birds, like people, often display individual traits that defy rules. There is much truth in the old saying "Birds never read the books." Consequently , we find a maverick Northern Oriole near a fishing lake that has built its hanging nest of monofiliament fishline;" Peterson Field Guide ~This nest too has some fish line. We don't live too close to any body of water used for fishing...but there are a lot of fishermen in the area. "a White-necked Raven that used barbed wire for the foundation of it's nest on an old piece of farm machinery; a Great Crested Flycatcher that substituted cellophane for snake- skins; a Solitary Vireo near a campsite that constructed the outer part of it's basket like nest from facial tissues and paper napkins." Peterson Field Guide ~Why am I blogging about bird's nests in the fall ? Well, I have had to bring my geraniums into the sun room for the winter and now I have to rearrange my bird nests, and also, this is the time of year I add more nests to my collection. The birds are done nesting. As I clean things up and move the nests around I take time to look closely at the nests. I am still amazed at the intricate structures birds build using only their beaks and feet. How do they weave the materials into such perfect little baskets and hollows for their eggs and to rear young ?Some of the nests I have are composed of feathers, wool from my sheep, yarn, dog hairs that look suspiciously like yellow Lab fur. ~~~"If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young;/ But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days." This quote is supposed to be from the Bible but I have not found the source yet. However, I found it interesting,. K.B.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a fascinating post this a.m. I just love your nest collection and the creative way you have displayed the nests. We enjoy watching a variety of birds here in the woods of north GA, but seldom get such close-up looks at the nesting materials. Thanks for sharing.

Pamela said...

OK. I'm an idiot! I read halfway through your post before I figured out that the nests weren't "live". I kept thinking "What does she do with the birds in her house?" LOL!

When I FINALLY sussed it out, I was really impressed. What a great decorating idea. You said the eggs come from your birds. Do you blow them out?

I get the feeling that being in your house is a lot like going on an easter egg hunt...everywhere you look there's something interesting!

(Being in my house is sorta like going on a "mess" hunt...everywhere you look, there's another mess. :) )

Anonymous said...

These are adorable, I have ones for my Christmas tree, I love how delicate they are.

KathyB. said...

Mildred, I bet your Circle of Love has a few nests hidden around in the trees and bushes. It would be interesting to see what Georgia birds build their nests with.

Pamela, You made me laugh. For a moment I too pictured birds free flying around the house. My 3 cats would love that ! They would think they were in cat heaven ! Yes, (most ) the eggs do come from my birds, and I don't blow them out, they just seem to dry up inside, and I don't have any problems with them rotting, etc., just keeping little hands from crushing them. When the eggs do get crushed by kids, there are plenty more dove and banty eggs.

Thank-you Noble Pig. I can't wait to see how you decorate for Christmas !

Connie said...

You have such a wonderful way of bringing the outside in, Kathy. There is so much beauty in nature. It is nice you can find ways to decorate with that beauty.

Paula said...

I love finding little nests... it's one of natures sweet little surprises!! Love the pictures, Kathy!