What the birds left behind -- a blessed mess
Friday, May 29, 2009 
"Nature beckons you to be on her side. You couldn't ask for a better boss."
The quote is from Paul Hawken's commencement address, a speech that, days after I read it, is making me think deeply, and not entirely comfortably, on how I might "cast my lot with those who, age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world."
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So if the birds weren't exactly bossing me around this past week, they definitely directed my garden work. Not only are coir-lined baskets environmentally-friendly, they're also a source of building material for birds like Mr. & Mrs. House Finch who have been deconstructing the hanging baskets without regard to tidiness as they tug out fibres, spill soil, discard the little bits, and fly away with full beaks to their nest site. (I suspect it's in a nearby tree with a view.) So everyday for the past couple of weeks I've been spending a good chunk of gardening time sweeping up the fibres, picking them out of the lettuce & other greens, and patching the liners with coffee filters. But I decided to leave the fibrous bits in the pots of polished rocks because...well, I like the natural, unkempt look & it reminds me of the birds who haven't been by for the past couple of days. I suspect their nest-building is complete. Now I just hope the crows don't get to the eggs or babies.
Next year I'm going to put a nesting box in my balcony garden. Does anyone have experience with this on a small balcony?
Reader Comments (5)
What beautiful photos!
I wonder how the birds would go on the balcony. Would they be scared of you or would they get used to it? It would be lovely to have them if they were happy to live there.
Thank you, Mez. And I thank the birds for making me notice things I might otherwise miss.
Yes, Arwen. I wonder about that, too. I think my balcony may be too small & the overhanging portion too low. But based on the loud chorus of bird songs this morning -- all morning -- I think the birds of my neigbourhood are happy in their current nesting spots. Not nearly as many crows this year, either, so I'm glad for that.
I've no experience, I'm afraid, but I do so love that quote, the notion that nature offers all the clues we need (if only we listen!) and am obsessed with birds. I spent three years of my life drawing birds, eggs and nests and when people tell me they are afraid of birds, I hardly know what to say...
Thank you so much - so very much - for your beautiful, heartfelt contribution to my little blog. Unknowingly, you were exactly what I needed that afternoon - dark days of winter (though hardly the sort of winter you experience!) were making my thoughts rather dull.
Welcome, Lucy. I'm honoured (and I really mean it) to have you visit my blog. Do you know I was just re-visiting yours just a few minutes ago. It's a hot almost-summer evening here and your words are exactly what I need to read to help me enjoy the simply pleasures of sweeping the balcony, touching the plants & thinking about what new recipes I will try with the first of the kale I harvest.
I'm not surprised to hear you are a bird person. I hope I can find some of your work either on your blog or Flickr photostream.