Departure

Well, it happened. I was driving home today thinking about our avian house guests and looking forward to seeing them. I hoped to snap a few more photos of their progress. I approached the door of my home carefully so as not to startle the nestling finches. When I looked for them in the nest atop the old christmas wreath, I was surprised, happy, and a bit sad that they had all fledged. In the trees nearby, I could hear all their peeping sort of chatter as they fluttered and hopped among the branches and leaves, chasing their parents for a handout of food. Until now, mom and dad were where the food came from. The fledglings now had to learn to hunt for food themselves.

I have no idea if I will see them again, and a bittersweet moment washes over me at seeing the empty nest. Whether or not I see the birds again, I am still so grateful for their life-affirming presence at my front door. The family of House Finches have inspired me and lifted my mood. They made me smile and laugh, and I took comfort as I lay in bed at night knowing that just outside the door were my fine feathered friends – in the dark, safe, and nestled together in their tiny home on the wreath. And we all dreamed together.

Comments

[Donald]

Bravo!
What a great story/saga of your feathery friends!
Pictures were excellent too.
- Donald

[Eva]

How beautiful is this! I'm so honored to know you and to share the sacred space of Edith Read Bird Sanctuary! Eva