They say that they best gifts parents can give their children are roots and wings. Today, I said goodbye to my biologist son as he left for a stint in the field studying spotted owl populations. We were lucky to have him staying with us for the month of March, after having left his previous research position at UC Davis to prepare for his new adventure. He just set up this beautiful blog to document his experience, which features some of his nature photography, if you're interested.
My son is responsible for the interest in birds and chickens around our house. A while back, he gave me a birdhouse and hung it under the eaves of our front porch, easily visible as I sit at my computer. A couple of springs ago, I saw a bird going in and out, but there hasn't been any activity lately. This week, as he was packing and getting ready to go, a chickadee started going in and out, with nesting materials in its mouth. Today, I noticed that there are actually two chickadees busily preparing a nest in the box. On a day of goodbyes, made even drearier by the grey, rainy weather, I'm overjoyed to welcome our new residents.
What a beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteLovely post! It is *so* very fun to have birds nesting close by! We have had bluejays on our front porch now for three or four years, and we do hope they come back again this Spring...it's such an affirmation of the Cycle of Life.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your sweet, heartfelt post--and the drawing is simple, straightforward... and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOk, I knew you were special with a wonderful gift, but now seeing your son's blog and knowing what he's doing...you've skyrocketed! Apples don't fall far... What amazing work he's doing and as always yours is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your work and sharing your Nathan's! I walk in the woods for an hour every day with Ellie Mae and when she was younger and needed more, we'd go twice (I was skinnier then, too) but late one afternoon in the fall an owl swooped silently about 12 inches over my head and was gone. Never heard it, never saw it until it was past...It was like a spirit swooping by... Amazing creatures.
And right over our front door we have a hole where a light went and now sparrows nest...we often hear the little ones squealing inside our house and mama's always popping her head out.
Good work, Sarah!
Love this sweet story and the little chickadee's house. And what a cool kid you have. Sounds like a dream come true to live in the forest and study birds. will be following his blog. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI was on vacatiuon and missed your “cultivat”....Stunning work! This birdhouse is gorgeous Sarah. I love your line work and soft details. I’ll have to stop by your son’s blog. I love nature photography! God bless!
ReplyDeleteAh, what I wouldn't give for chickadees nesting in my yard! Thanks for sharing your son's blog; as an owl afficionado, I look forward to perusing it...
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice story, Sarah. Good luck to your son, I'm sure it was a treat to have him home for the month. The chickadee just peeking out of his house is a nice image.
ReplyDeleteVery nice illustration and what a nice story of your son (with roots and wings) who flies out, while the chickadees arrive to distract you from your work. :-)
ReplyDeleteWill your son install a web cam next year so you can peek at your chickadee family members?
Paula
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. This was my first non-Illustration Friday post in a while; but I was so compelled to draw my little bird visitor. Thank you for visiting my son's site, as well!
ReplyDeleteYes, Paula, we did briefly entertain the thought of webcams in both the birdhouse and my chicken coop! :)
And now, as this is the first non-rainy day we've had in over a week (maybe that's why the chickadee decided to use the birdhouse?), I must get outside and enjoy the sunshine!
HI Sarah! I love love love your work... thanks for finding me.. now I can follow you as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful drawing, it's always nice to watch a nest for a while and see the little birds grow up and move on :)
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