Somehow I overlooked reading this post….😳🙄…. That’s a big black snake…🐍 I remember the one at the front of my house and I had just got home and still in my car… I couldn’t open my garage door or get to my front door…. My neighbor came to the rescue thank goodness. Your Dad does have a calmness about him… I remember Aliya being scared of the loud fireworks when she was little and she sought him out and was happy as a clam sitting with him…❤️😍🥰
I get nervous anytime something out of the ordinary happens and don’t really have a solution for calming nerves …. I just take a deep breath and do whatever I need to do to resolve the issue…. I hate making phone calls, meeting new people etc….I’m a real procrastinator too and if I put something off it takes a lot to finally deal with the problem 😳🙄. Like this week, new online payment center for my rent and realized my lease renewal hadn’t gone thru….my primary care physician retired and just got the letter new doctor taking over doesn’t take my insurance or Medicare and deadline is July 5th…Agh😳🙄😡. It’s always something even if you’re retired 🤷♀️. Your bird pictures are beautiful… The dad birds are certainly busy😍❤️👍
Yes, I will never forget Aliya asking for "Grace's grandpa". I really get all of these things, I get anxious about them too and have to move myself gently forward. Sending you lots of love with each of the things. You've got this!
Thx… got the lease taken care of yesterday… change in personnel in the office was the problem but was resolved 👍😊. Still working on the PCP👍. Thx for the encouragement 😍❤️🥰👍 love you too🥰
Oh I like snakes, even after I was bitten by one at 6 years old - my fault for picking it up wrong so not much sympathy for me. lol Lesson learned. I can't think of any animal, insect or reptile that would be upsetting to me although the 'idea' of a snake having a baby bird for breakfast is a sad reality thought. Loved the tree swallow photos.
Thanks Jan. Most people do but I happen to personally know at least one subscriber who has a true phobia and I love them so I don't want to trigger them! I'm putting snakes in for Tuesday, with the proper warnings.
Wonderful post. Someday , when life isn’t quite as hectic, you may want to think about a children’s book. Just like this post. Your beautiful photographs, teaching children about nature and birds. Along with your lovely narratives in ‘bird lingo’. On this Father’s Day, on behalf of those of us who have lost our own dads to the past, they stay in our hearts so we always know where to find them. I am touched to see your dad’s comment and your very personal and heart warming reply.
Love the closeups of the tree swallows. Look at those eyes! And love the story and pics of discovering their nest. And then look at the eyes of the red-tailed hawk fledgling. Yikes! Talk about penetrating. Been thinking about ways to prevent the snake from climbing the poles to your deck. As this might also be a way to calm your nervous system. Perhaps you could coil some barbed wire around a section of the poles? Or maybe some two-sided carpet tape would do it? Snakes have their place in nature but not so much on your deck. 😅 Give your dad a mental hug and remember his hugs whenever a hug is needed. Dad hugs are the best! ✨
Thank you Sandy. There's a tree next to the deck, if he wants on the deck he will get there. We sprayed him with water when he was on my deck to let him know that wasn't going to be a comfortable place to be.
Maybe some barbwire coiled around the trunk of the tree would be a deterrent. Or rock salt on your deck? Not sure about the salt but the snake might not like it. Or maybe you could grease the poles and tree trunk with something nontoxic but strongly scented! The snake might not like having a strong smell on him.
Lol - so far he's abiding by my request after I had a good talk with him. Hopefully no other methods will be needed. There's plenty of driveways around here with holes under them for him to hide in.
The bird dads is a great way to celebrate today. I broke into big smiles Whenever my feelings tip to too much, I go outside and be with nature. Daytime talk to the plants, nighttime, talk to the stars. Been out there recently due to a death in the family.
I love the colours on Mr tree swallow. And that sounds like a huge snake. I would love to see a picture of it. Maybe you could post it with a trigger warning. Not sure that I would want to live that close to the snake though
I will add it, I just ran out of time yesterday to figure out how to do it with the proper warnings up front! I'll post the video because it's pretty rare I have a video of a snake! He's really a cool being and performs an excellent service in the neighborhood. (Just preferably not on my deck.)
Not dangerous. Black snakes are not poisonous and honestly he just wants to eat mice, control the rabbit population, enjoy the occasional bird egg, and bask in the sun. Black snakes are definitely one of the ones you like to have around, and they keep some other kinds of snakes away too. I'd bet this is the one I found the snakeskin from under my bush last fall. Doesn't worry me - unless he decides to be on top of my door frame!
Thank you Kara! I will post them - I seem to have several now - I just need to do it when I have time to be thoughtful about warning a few folks up front.
Somehow I overlooked reading this post….😳🙄…. That’s a big black snake…🐍 I remember the one at the front of my house and I had just got home and still in my car… I couldn’t open my garage door or get to my front door…. My neighbor came to the rescue thank goodness. Your Dad does have a calmness about him… I remember Aliya being scared of the loud fireworks when she was little and she sought him out and was happy as a clam sitting with him…❤️😍🥰
I get nervous anytime something out of the ordinary happens and don’t really have a solution for calming nerves …. I just take a deep breath and do whatever I need to do to resolve the issue…. I hate making phone calls, meeting new people etc….I’m a real procrastinator too and if I put something off it takes a lot to finally deal with the problem 😳🙄. Like this week, new online payment center for my rent and realized my lease renewal hadn’t gone thru….my primary care physician retired and just got the letter new doctor taking over doesn’t take my insurance or Medicare and deadline is July 5th…Agh😳🙄😡. It’s always something even if you’re retired 🤷♀️. Your bird pictures are beautiful… The dad birds are certainly busy😍❤️👍
Yes, I will never forget Aliya asking for "Grace's grandpa". I really get all of these things, I get anxious about them too and have to move myself gently forward. Sending you lots of love with each of the things. You've got this!
Thx… got the lease taken care of yesterday… change in personnel in the office was the problem but was resolved 👍😊. Still working on the PCP👍. Thx for the encouragement 😍❤️🥰👍 love you too🥰
I agree with Ms. Swallow. The steel tube nesting site is an excellent choice. Why can’t her mate understand that?
Questions women have asked for millennia, lol.
I love swallows and your little tree swallow was just adorable! You really captured his personality!
Thank you Lindsey!
Oh I like snakes, even after I was bitten by one at 6 years old - my fault for picking it up wrong so not much sympathy for me. lol Lesson learned. I can't think of any animal, insect or reptile that would be upsetting to me although the 'idea' of a snake having a baby bird for breakfast is a sad reality thought. Loved the tree swallow photos.
Thanks Jan. Most people do but I happen to personally know at least one subscriber who has a true phobia and I love them so I don't want to trigger them! I'm putting snakes in for Tuesday, with the proper warnings.
Wonderful post. Someday , when life isn’t quite as hectic, you may want to think about a children’s book. Just like this post. Your beautiful photographs, teaching children about nature and birds. Along with your lovely narratives in ‘bird lingo’. On this Father’s Day, on behalf of those of us who have lost our own dads to the past, they stay in our hearts so we always know where to find them. I am touched to see your dad’s comment and your very personal and heart warming reply.
Thanks to you both, for defining this day.
( PS ~ check your email)
Thank you Lor. I was actually daydreaming an idea for a book today with a second version for kids. But more like a pearls of wisdom with artwork. :)
I love those swallows! Those big eyes. My all-time favorite year in our bird houses was when we had swallows.
Ooooh, yes! Tree swallows are so lovely with their iridescence too.
Beautiful post. My husband enjoyed it too!
Thank you Linda!
Love the closeups of the tree swallows. Look at those eyes! And love the story and pics of discovering their nest. And then look at the eyes of the red-tailed hawk fledgling. Yikes! Talk about penetrating. Been thinking about ways to prevent the snake from climbing the poles to your deck. As this might also be a way to calm your nervous system. Perhaps you could coil some barbed wire around a section of the poles? Or maybe some two-sided carpet tape would do it? Snakes have their place in nature but not so much on your deck. 😅 Give your dad a mental hug and remember his hugs whenever a hug is needed. Dad hugs are the best! ✨
Thank you Sandy. There's a tree next to the deck, if he wants on the deck he will get there. We sprayed him with water when he was on my deck to let him know that wasn't going to be a comfortable place to be.
Maybe some barbwire coiled around the trunk of the tree would be a deterrent. Or rock salt on your deck? Not sure about the salt but the snake might not like it. Or maybe you could grease the poles and tree trunk with something nontoxic but strongly scented! The snake might not like having a strong smell on him.
And to be fair - he only came up for the robin's nest so that will not be a permanent fixture.
Lol - so far he's abiding by my request after I had a good talk with him. Hopefully no other methods will be needed. There's plenty of driveways around here with holes under them for him to hide in.
Sweet, sweet issue, as always.
Thank you Michael
The bird dads is a great way to celebrate today. I broke into big smiles Whenever my feelings tip to too much, I go outside and be with nature. Daytime talk to the plants, nighttime, talk to the stars. Been out there recently due to a death in the family.
Sending love for your loss Sharon.
I love the colours on Mr tree swallow. And that sounds like a huge snake. I would love to see a picture of it. Maybe you could post it with a trigger warning. Not sure that I would want to live that close to the snake though
I will add it, I just ran out of time yesterday to figure out how to do it with the proper warnings up front! I'll post the video because it's pretty rare I have a video of a snake! He's really a cool being and performs an excellent service in the neighborhood. (Just preferably not on my deck.)
What service does he perform? And is it dangerous?
Not dangerous. Black snakes are not poisonous and honestly he just wants to eat mice, control the rabbit population, enjoy the occasional bird egg, and bask in the sun. Black snakes are definitely one of the ones you like to have around, and they keep some other kinds of snakes away too. I'd bet this is the one I found the snakeskin from under my bush last fall. Doesn't worry me - unless he decides to be on top of my door frame!
All us dads thank you.
I love you dad!
Great storytelling! I appreciate the focus on bird dads.
Thank you Sue
Such a beautiful tribute to all aspects and kinds of fatherhood.
Thank you Lauren
Bring on the snake pictures! There is power in their darkness, I bet we can handle integrating that into our whole picture 🩰😊
Thank you Kara! I will post them - I seem to have several now - I just need to do it when I have time to be thoughtful about warning a few folks up front.
Yes, please a warning about the snake photos. Love and enjoy the bird photos and writing.
Appreciate! Respect all wildlife but not in love with all wildlife.
There have been a few people request that, so I will definitely do it - and I'll make it clear where you should stop if you don't want to see them! :)
May we be as light hearted as these birds
Thank you Paola