This is a very short story and not even my own. My Darling Spouse, He of the Strong Back, was home preparing lunch for himself and Gracie the Wonder Pug when he heard a knock at the door. We are blessed with a very large kitchen window so we can always see our visitors coming. He saw no one, shrugged and went back to making dog lunch.
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
A minute later, another thump at the door. Concerned now, he pulled open the door in time to see a catbird launch itself into the storm door for the third time. Thump! Satisfied that he now had Hubby’s attention, the catbird proceeded to chew him out at great length before dashing away.
Hubby stepped outside to see if one of the local cats, of the feline, not avian, persuasion, was visiting and might have prompted this birdbrain nemesis to batter down the door. Nope, no cat. Check the skies — nope, no hawk. Did it see its reflection on the door? Possible but it was a cloudy day and reflections weren’t bright. It seems this little featherbutt simply took offense to his existence and was determined to let him know about it.
And it wasn’t through either. Once Hubby was outdoors and the catbird had his undivided attention, it leaped to the roof of Hubby’s car and continued with the lambasting.
Eventually, it had its say and took off, content that Hubby got the message. I’m not so sure, though. Hubby says he shrugged again and went back in to finish making his own lunch. I have a feeling the little grey menace was chewing Hubby out for not providing some catbird lunch, like we have in years past.
Catbirds rarely visit the seed feeders as they rely mainly on insects and fruit for their food. We’ve had good luck drawing them in with grape jelly and they’ll snack on dried meal worms, too. They also love the sour cherry tree we planted for them. I don’t think we’ve gotten more than one cherry off the tree in the 6 years we’ve grown it. I’d hate to see what they’d do to a sweet cherry!
Anybody else been lectured by their local wildlife?
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