What’s with all these bird nests I’ve been finding lately? Is it just me or is the Universe trying to tell me something? Who knows, maybe my next book should have a bird theme?
In an earlier post I published some photos of a tiny bird nest with five eggs inside. Although I’d seen momma bird I hadn’t been able to identify her in any of my bird books. I’ve noticed that is often a problem with illustrations, they do not resemble the bird in question or sometimes the illustration is only of a male and you happened to have seen the female. They look similar but not quite and so you’re a bit unsure. This is why it’s important to read the description that is included with the illustration as well as information as to where they nest—trees, bushes, ground, grass.
I snapped these shots of Momma and Papa today. They were the same type of bird I found last May. They were not happy campers when I wandered into their territory. They flew toward me and even played the broken wing game, which of course I didn’t fall for.
With a little patience we discovered the nest between two branches of ground juniper. To think I might have stepped on the nest makes me cringe. I was quite close. Momma and Papa had their nest very well hidden.
As a note of caution, when you’re out walking in the woods and birds suddenly begins flitting around, sounding distressed, it’s a good chance that a nest is handy. Tread carefully.
I find it interesting that the one egg that did not hatch is still in the nest, unharmed. I think there are four babies in there, but I’m not positive.
So what kind of bird is this? I feel quite confident in saying it’s a palm warbler. If you have any other thoughts on this please share them. I’m a writer, after all, not a bird watcher. And I promise no more bird photos for a while. The Universe will have to speak to me in other ways.
Laura Best 
Linda Cassidy Lewis
/ July 13, 2011Great photos, Laura. And I’d be just like you, wondering if there was a deeper meaning to the bird nests.
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pattisj
/ July 13, 2011I love seeing all your birds and nests, eggs and babies! Thanks for sharing.
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joylene
/ July 13, 2011You’re right, I looked in my bird book and I can’t tell either. But who cares. Your photos are outstanding. Honestly, Laura, I really think you need to show these to Canadian geographical magazines. Bet they’d snatch them up.
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Ciara Knight
/ July 13, 2011Those are amazing photos. Wow. Thanks for sharing these.
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Abigail Sharpe
/ July 13, 2011Birdies!!! 🙂
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writerwoman61
/ July 14, 2011I enjoy your bird photos, Laura…here’s a site that we often use to identify birds we’re not sure about: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Wendy
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Laura Best
/ July 14, 2011Glad you all enjoyed the photos. It’s been a bit weird finding all these nests, eggs and baby birds. I think it has something to do with the fact that when we take notice of something that something keeps popping up wherever we go. Of course, I love to think that there is a deeper meaning here…
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Carol J. Garvin
/ July 14, 2011Looks like a Palm Warbler to me, but I’ve never seen one in real life, just in books. These are really great photos! I love trying to capture the various visitors to our garden and woods, but not many of them will stay still long enough… I’m not a patient enough birder.
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Laura Best
/ July 18, 2011Thanks Carol. These little devils are difficult to catch. I had to take quite a number of shots before I had any that were any good. I snapped a lot of twigs and blurred images I’m afraid.
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SuziCate
/ July 17, 2011Lovely photos. Synchronicity, yes, the meaning hmmmm….sometimes it takes me a while to figure it out when it’s happening in my life.
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Laura Best
/ July 18, 2011Thanks Suzicate. I like to think of the eggs and nests as something positive. Not sure exactly what at the moment. Perhaps time will tell.
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