Bird sightings

On top of the van, claiming that vasty territory for his own: a red-wing blackbird strutting back and forth, calling out over and over with a flutter of his tail feathers on the last chirp.

A ratty-looking teenage robin walking around with his mother nearby on his maiden voyage from his nest (in a crook of the downspout) to the garden. A dove, that famous symbol of peace, left off wandering under the bird feeder and jumped to attention with the right wing open at the ready, lunging with stabbing pecks at the teenager, though never quite closing--the meaning obvious: get away from the spilled birdseed or die. Mama robin didn't move and the teenage robin seemed bemused, and eventually hopped away.

Ducks landed in our backyard to mate. Don't ask me why--there's no pond here, though the garden had just been thoroughly watered.

The wren lands on every high place in the back yard and loudly asserts his claim--most often on the lattice by the porch. Probably figures we're the big trouble-makers and and that we need a stern reminder.