I installed the bluebird house last Saturday in the area near the intimidating yucca I am not fond of. The deer grazed on the hardy plant near winter's end when other offerings were sparse. They nibbled the tender tips and noisily yanked full spiked leaves from its trunk. Silently I urged them to help themselves. Please eat all you want I whispered. I was hoping for more damage. But there it remains.

I was pleased I was able to manage the installation without assistance. I attached the house to the pole and drove the pole deep into the ground – just deep enough to not fail in a big wind. By afternoon I had spotted Bluebirds in the vicinity and when I took a peek inside later that evening I discovered a peanut. One silly single nut. I laughed to myself to think it could be the bird's world way of a house downpayment. Take a self-guided tour at an open house – if you like it leave an offer. A few days later I peeked again – the peanut was gone and in its place a bright tiny fresh picked leaf. Now we have a bidding war I thought to myself.

We have been watching all week from our living room window. The backyard has been a flutter with activity like Snow White's garden. So bright and alive filled with chipmunks, squirrels and deer, Cardinals, Bluejays, Mockingbirds, Grackles, Red-Bellied and Downey Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmice and so many more. The forsythia is blooming as is the flowering quince. The deep magenta redbud is just beginning to open in the forest where we can hear the drumming of the Pileated Woodpecker. We've seen both Chickadees and Bluebirds in, on and around the birdhouse. This evening when I took a look I spotted the beginnings of a deep moss nest indicative of Chickadee architecture. It's likely that they will be evicted by the Bluebirds but we do have a few alternative accommodations if they need to relocate. Open House Sunday.

Leave a Peanut © Ann Richardson •  Apr 07, 2019