My babies are growin’
up! And fast! While raking the bank the other day both
families came to visit—well, alright, came for their food. But, hey, they tolerated my presence!
It’s both fun and informative to observe
Canada Geese up close. The goslings take
their cues 100 percent from their parents.
Left on their own, they have no fear of me. I’m just another forest creature. It’s only when mom and dad signal “Alert! Possible Danger” that they waddle away. Fear of humans is learned behavior not an innate
trait.
I was also fascinated by the relationship
between the two families. They tolerate
each other but the goslings keep to their respective broods. I’m anthropomorphizing here, but just the same, I kept waiting for the two sets of kids to interact—i.e.
play together—but that hasn’t happened, at least not yet.
The raking is finished and my
feathered friends couldn’t be happier.
Geese love short grass. In fact, soon
after completion, both families enjoyed a leisurely stroll across the newly
manicured bank. Nodding their necks in approval,
they then settled in for a nice nap.
Life is good around the
Pond.
One of late spring's
loveliest creations, the peony is a “perennial” favorite here at Bon Bon Pond. Loved
only by ants, these pink-petaled powder puffs are virtually ignored by the deer, rabbits and
other hungry wildlife. With hard rain and blustery
winds their only "predators," these fortunate flowers are the perfect accoutrement to a well-dressed "country" lawn like mine!
Today’s Inspiration from Nature
comes from our wonderful wild songbirds and is told via video and the
incredible voice of the music world’s top “songbird,” Ms. Barbra Streisand. Special thanks to nisarahmad84
from youtube for creating this lesson in perseverance and courage from the animal
kingdom. Enjoy!
I awoke this morning to the soft sounds of a gentle rain: for my money, the most beautiful music on
earth. Back in my childhood, it’s what we used to call a “soaker.” People wrote songs about depressing day-long
downpours, but I never agreed. As a country
girl who views precipitation as life-affirming, wet days were seen as a Gift
from God; something to savor.
As each late spring
day passes, I become more and more concerned. Where are all the hummingbirds? Traditionally, I put out ten nectar feeders and each is utilized--usually,
by a single sentinel standing guard, fiercely
fending off a horde of hungry interlopers.
The early
morning and late night feeding frenzies, with their thrilling aerial battle
ballets have been a highlight of my Adventures
in Birding. But this year, as least
so far, the sugary mix remains, for the most part, untouched. Dawn and dusk are eerily quiet, bereft of the
Ruby-throats’ hum and chatter. I know not where my aerodynamic dynamos have gone,
but I can say with certainty that summer will not be the same without them. 
