Sigh in the Sky

“You promised! I can’t live like this. Taking the first flight out.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

To them, “being born in the sticks” isn’t a negative.

Amusing how people pay so much money to come anywhere close to an open air balcony such as theirs.

 Remember the hard working Yellow-Crowned Night Heron who was practically defoliating one of my crepe myrtles a few weeks ago as he eagerly constructed a bower for his young bride? 

Well, following his jet-speed flying trail one day, I located his nest sitting high up in a tree in a yard two blocks from here.

He had great taste (no wonder he found a mate): the yard looked like a floral tropical paradise with the nest barely visible snuggled among the dense oak tree branches.

Then we saw him  late one afternoon – alone – walking in the neighbor’s yard sprinkler system. Sort of head down. Moving as if heartbroken.

We found out why the next morning. Looked like a crime scene.

There, on the sidewalk under his nest – built to be a sturdy fortress – were several shattered eggs.

No wonder he couldn’t face going home. Unable to fend off robbers.

Had to be squirrels. 

“New to the neighborhood? Got any babes that can come out for dinner – I mean, to dinner?”(Believe it or not, this is a pet squirrel named Tommy that was a well known actor/entertainer Washington DC in 1944. Proof it’s true that there have always been squirrels in Washington. /USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

We spotted him – alone – here and there.

Figured his intended was so distressed she left him.

Now, all the other gals were taken. Can it get any sadder?

He became MIA. Probably too embarrassed to be seen.

But wait! Suddenly there were bits of plucked off sticks littering the backyard again.

Could it be? 

Late in the day, we spotted him evaluating crepe myrtle branches.

Was he being given a second chance? Where?

This time of year, Molly and I are used to suddenly having to make a run for it from attacks by over-protective cardinals, blue jays, and and assorted kamikaze bird parents.

But the squawked warning early last Wed morning – and the large dark body flinging itself off a pine branch seemed more dangerous than usual.

Then I realized it was our little heron – He was not only back, but had a lovely girlfriend sitting on a newly constructed nest. – this time in a towering pine tree with plenty of room between branches for wings to swoop in and perform defensive maneuvers.  

There may be squirrels, but with all the traffic on that block, they tend to cling to the old oak trees in between playing dodge ball with cars.

“Fear not, Dear. I promise you the sun, the sky, and a squirrel free home!” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

A dedicated father and his sweet wife. (Night, Night. Hold on tight!)

Couldn’t ask for more charming storybook ending. (Just don’t park or linger under their tree.)

With luck, they’ll stick around.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Word to the wise, kids: “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me.”(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)