Sunday, May 15, 2011

Post-fledge bluebird nest . . .

I removed the nest and swept out the box. It's been ten days since the bluebird nestlings morphed into fledglings, to use my friend Pearl's description of the elevating moment. By now I've seen both Sir and Madame Bluebird a couple of times each in the yard, and surprisingly, at the feeder.  Still keeping my fingers crossed for a second brood, but no sign of nesting activity at the box since fledge day.

Here's a close-up look at what the baby bluebirds left in their nest, for those who like the nitty gritty down and dirty details.  No wonder the Parents Bluebird were kept busy carrying off what the books call fecal sacs.  Not sure I would describe them as sacs.  They look to me more like simple blobs of you-know-what.  Click on photos to enlarge.



Whatever . . . I'm leaving tomorrow for a two-week retreat to work on another writing project without distraction, and may not be blogging during that time.  Unfortunately, I have finely-honed procrastination skills regarding my intentional writing work---so much so that going off to a place of solitude and reflection seems to be the only way to get back into my story and stay there.   

Blogging started out as an exercise to prepare my head for REAL writing.  Little did I know how much I would enjoy reading other blogs and interacting with their authors!  I have to put myself on blogging restriction if I intend to complete the 8th draft of current manuscript by July 31st, as is my goal. Here's hoping if I state it publicly I'll be more responsible. dkm   

14 comments:

Nicole said...

If you are like me, stating it public won't change a thing and the only thing getting me to work is locking the USB Internet stick away - in a safe without me knowing the number.
;)
Hope you are better than me ;-)
Re nitty gritty details.
I'm glad I'm neither a Mom, nor a bird Mom ;)
Too much work :D

dkm said...

He he, I'm EXACTLY like that---the only thing that keeps me from beating myself up about it is that I know I'm in good company. Do you know the Frog & Toad story, Cookies? It's the best and funniest literary example I know---they go to great lengths to avoid eating their cookies, to no avail, until they finally feed them to the birds.

dkm said...

p.s. Today is the day I drive to the writing place. Notice what I'm doing before leaving. Just one last check before I leave, I promise! Oh yeah, and I still have to mulch the flower bed I planted yesterday, which has already delayed my trip by a day. Pitiful!

bibi said...

I will miss you and your observations! enjoy your solitude, and the feeling of accomplishment that you are about to experience!

Jane Robertson said...

Aha, you have witnesses!! We will be checking two weeks hence on progress. I'll hold you to it Debby, as I do Niki ;-) Wishing you a most productive retreat.

I am sure there is a line in Chaucer about birds fouling their nests... It must get very hot and crowded in there!!

Pearl said...

Jane, I take up the gauntlet with my own procrastination techniques, even though I expect NO ONE to read this comment till two weeks hence:

Dahet habbe [a curse on] that ilke best [beast] that fuleth his owe nest.
[ 1250 Chaucer Owl & Nightingale l. 99]


It's an ill bird that beraies its own nest.
[1670 J. Ray English Proverbs 62]


Miriam cleared her throat. ‘It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest, dear. If you ask me, it's about time you dumped him.’
[2000 C. Goff Rant of Ravens i. 2]

Jane Robertson said...

Oh, wonderful, thank you Pearl. Procrastination can lead down such fascinating paths... I wonder whether the implied meaning is the same in all three...

Anonymous said...

I thought Deb had left already. She commented on my blog today!!! I remember her last writing retreat was filled with blogposts about a hawk or eagle. I think it murdered some poor thing. Obviously wherever she goes there is still internet connection!! hmmmmm :)

dkm said...

Be careful what you say in her absence.

Yay! She knew Pearl and Jane would well-connect---just hadn't predicted it would be over CHAUCER!!!!

Oh, ye three of little faith---she finished chapter 21 yesterday---thank you very much.

Jane Robertson said...

Ooooh, a voice from the wilderness...

That's a lot of chapters :-O

Pearl said...

I guess responding to comments to a blog is not quite "blogging"!!! Great Job, DKM!

dkm said...

Hee hee---my sentiments exactly---but now I AM unplugging---big re-write finally coming together with clear direction ahead---amazing how story reveals itself when it gets long slow attention---Ch 22 will be finished before I put my head on the pillow tonight---Ch 23 tomorrow---Here's to new "character arc!" Yay!

Just so you know, if I WERE blogging, there would be much to blog about in this place. Wild green Florida growth right up to the windows of the house. We are literally in the woods. Wildlife galore.

Hope you are all having productive days---

And Bibi---yes to the sense of accomplishment you mentioned----

To all, until June 1st, deb

Unknown said...

Nope, don't know that story, but in that case, I'd rather eat the cookies ;)
And yeah, I know the part of "i should do' and 'oh, only one last look'.... mpf ;)

Anonymous said...

simply dropping by to say hi