Hit and Miss

The stormy weather moved out and the winds calmed enough to take a nice walk at noon. The sky was a clear blue canvass and the rain-soaked ground smelled of fresh dirt with a floral hint. The pine trees swayed in the light breeze. Ahhh, the smell of fresh, moist pine.

It was a refreshing, heavenly walk around the track that circles the playing field and park and I could have walked all afternoon. That is…until…the people came. All in about ten minutes, two school bus loads of kids arrived at the park. On the trail, one soccer ball dribbler, three walkers, and three joggers were whizzing past me and scaring the birds away. I couldn’t help but glare at these people after their backs were facing me. A recreational park employee started weed-whacking under the spectator bleachers. I wondered, “Is this a JOKE directed towards me?”

Feeling desperate for a few photos, I zoomed in on a black trash bag I thought was a crow and a leaf on the grass that had a little wind under it. Drats!

I did see a lifer, though. Somebody up there likes me and offered me a view of a Brown Headed Nuthatch! A swirling little bird that's in and out of sight in a flash.

Another type of lizard was sunbathing at the bottom of the downspout on my driveway. Heck, I don't know much about lizards except that I love them for their patience and cooperative spirit in front of the camera. My opinion might be unpopular, but I think they're very cute!

“Well, hello there. Move in a little closer. I promise not to blink.”

I poured some bottled water into the splash block and he loved it! "Thank you, ma'am!"

It was time for him to find some dinner. My neighbors can watch me through their bedroom window as I lay across the concrete driveway. I guess by now nothing surprises them...

For almost a week, I’ve been concerned about the nest of house finches on my front porch since I hadn’t seen Mother near the nest for several days and she stopped resting there at night. I was certain the babies died although I saw more sacs of poop surrounding the edge of the nest. I learned that house finches don’t clean up the mess. Before I went to fetch a step ladder to check on them, I peeked at the nest through the window and thought I saw a little scrawny head looking out.

There are two! I climbed onto the bench and took their picture. These babies didn’t flinch or move. They are very quiet and sort of lifeless so I hope they are thriving. Standing on the bench with the camera around my neck, I spoke softly to them, “You know, little babies, I think your Mother is a whacky, unattentive lady and not very good at housekeeping, either. But she must be doing something right.” I am still concerned as I saw a house sparrow at the feeder this afternoon. A month ago, I saw one and it didn’t return until today. My reaction was to throw a hula hoop against the fence to scare it off. And I did.

There are times of despair and there are times that despair turns into a smile at the sight of very small, precious life.