It is suddenly nesting season here on the north coast. I'm no birder, so I can't identify the species, but I have a nesting pair who are insistent on building their nest right outside my front door. This is something I just can't allow, and I feel guilty about it. They started to build their nest around a nail in my porch overhang. I knocked down what they'd begun and removed the nail, hoping they'd try somewhere else, but they just keep coming back. They haven't started any new construction, and seem rather frustrated that their nascent home is gone without a trace. It makes me sad to watch, but I can't have protective birds attacking my head every time I pass through the door. I'd be willing to settle for using the back door, but I've already permitted a nest to be built near there, and the inhabitants routinely buzz me whenever I go near it. The birds know I'm talking about them; they're back kicking up a ruckus right outside my door even as I type this.
There are other birds here whose presence I warmly welcome. There is a large floral hedge that separates my yard from a sheep pasture; like the birds, I can't identify it, but maybe you can from the photo at left. The hedge itself is perhaps ten feet tall and runs for about 30 yards, and is positively lousy with hummingbirds. I wish I could provide a picture, but they won't come near when I'm outside, and my camera's zoom lens isn't strong enough to catch such a small thing from inside my house. It's not uncommon for me to look out at the hedge and see as many as five of them buzzing around. Even though the novelty of seeing them has worn off, it's still a thrill to have them around. They compete with honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies for the available nectar, making this already-beautiful hedge alive with winged grace. And so far none of them has attacked me for coming too close to their homestead.If anyone can identify either the bird or the bush, or even if you can't, please leave a comment.
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