NEST
It's pretty safe to say, everyone who knows me knows I have a thing for nests!! I collect them (only the evacuated of course.) They are in my house, my planters and often times riding around in my car next to my starbucks cup. I. LOVE. NESTS.! I bend young trees back to see them, pile things on top of each other at the trunk to see them, and more than once in a while climb the tree much to my own peril. A few scratches, less than lady like tumbles, and awkward explanations to passers-by what in the world I'm doing, and I have lived to tell about it. My friend, Suzanne says I am a predator. But I am a gentle predator armed with only my trusty iphone, which is how I got these amazing pictures of a robins nest on my beloved path!
I saw the nest, (lots of parental Robin activity, which soon included dive bombing yours truly) I pulled a couple pieces of wood next to tree but still could not see in so just reached my iphone up over the nest and got the first shot of the amazingly blue eggs! I was SO tickled!! Is there anything more beautiful than this?! Not even the sky can equal this hue! When I got home and looked more closely, I realized the eggs had tiny holes in them (look closely) and were about to hatch!!
The next day...there were two! Definitely not as beautiful as their shells! I checked on them every day and was totally amazed at how quickly they grew! Filled out with feathers, filled the nest to overflowing, and constantly had their mouths open!!
No wonder I love Nests! It's a close comparison to becoming a couple, making your first home, expecting and raising all those little babies. I loved ALL those years! And they seem to have gone by in a flash!! You young Mamas… I know you are rolling your eyes, I used to be SO annoyed at that comment, usually heard in line at the grocery store, one child screaming and crying to get out of the cart, while the other opened a conveniently child height pack of skittles which scattered around our feet… but we Older Mamas-now Grammas know........
The nursery you spent a whole year planning and preparing, the crib that looks big only after you bring that tiny one home from the hospital. You spend hours just staring at them while they sleep… and if they sleep more than an hour at a time (in the beginning) you wake them up to see if they are alright…. time passes…
Soon you have another and a little family emerges and grows (and are certainly cuter than these bug-eyed, grandpa eye-browed red skinned fellas!)
They fill your heart, your home, your every hour and somebody is ALWAYS hungry!!!!
They watch you and they grow and grow and get personalities and whiskers and meltdowns and attitudes...
"She touched me!" "He's on MY side!" "She LOOKED at me!" ".."Are we THERE yet? It's HOT in here!"
And the next thing you know… they have all flown the nest, out on their own, and all you have left is a heart full of loving memories and a couple feathers. That white stuff around the edge of nest?...well.."it" happens
Be nice to your husbands ladies..he is the only one who stays! :)
This brought tears to my eyes! Love it and so true, and love the comment about be nice to your husband, he's the only one that stays!
ReplyDeleteI smiled and laughed at your story until I got to the picture of the empty nest. Then the tears welled up in my eyes. Such a perfect analogy.
ReplyDeletewe had a nest this past spring too and it was so amazing to see the way the babies grew and the parents fed them and they eventually left the nest. we were so sad to see them go. I really hope they will return next spring.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the Blogelina Commentathon!
~ Dara
These are amazing photos and this is such a sweet post. I'm still in the early years - I hate those "convenience foods" at the grocery story. I know it will go fast and I savor it as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteYes Donna! I felt very privelaged to have found this nest and followed the miracle of even a little Robins life! There are so many more pictures, I took 3 or 4 every day, they flew the nest in about 16 days if you can believe that!
DeleteMy children are young, still in the toddler age. Cute and full of life, I never want them to fly the nest. I know I am being selfish by saying that. I can't ever imagine waking up in an empty house knowing that they live in another nest. But this could change when the teen age years show up. Thank you for sharing your love of nests.
ReplyDeleteI remember feeling the same way... " I cant imagine them going to school!!" "I cant imagine them driving!" "I cant imagine them not in their beds down the hall"...and so on and so on....The teenage years help us adjust to them "leaving"! LOL
DeleteWhat a beautiful analogy! My oldest started high school this year. I've been doing some thinking about how quickly the nest will begin to empty and frankly, its scary! Who/what am I if I'm not someone who has to chase after teenagers every day reminding them to do homework, clean their rooms, pick up their socks? Life is hectic and I wouldn't want it any other way! On the first day of school a few weeks ago I found myself feeling so lonely and sad that it was SO quiet- even if all summer long I secretly wished for just one hour of quiet... It all goes by too fast!!
ReplyDeleteYes Erica, it is a strange thing to "find" yourself after all the years of (gladly) giving yourself away..it is a new and different chapter, but I believe, God has more for us to do!
DeleteI loved this post so much! It's incredible how similar our lives are to those of birds (or any animals). I loved your idea about being nice to your husband. I know it's hard and a lot of women totally ignore their husbands after having kids but at the end of the day you are right - kids will have their own lives, friends, and one day they will fly away. Husbands will stay (hopefully). :)
ReplyDeleteVita, it was astounding to me as I watched how quickly their lives unfolded before my eyes! And of course it made me think of our lives..in fast motion! Which of course is where we are as well, we just dont realize it! If more couples would hang in there and stay married..they would get a chance to see and experience, what a wonderful thing it is to come back full circle, to the couple of kids who just fell in love all those years ago..who just loved and raised and sent off into the world, a bunch of people they made together! It is AWESOME!
DeleteA bunch of people they made together. Love this expression! :-) You definitely have a gift for words.
DeleteLove all the pictures - I'm showing them to my kids today. I am beginning to really see that time flies. I have eight children ages 12, 8, 7, 5, 4, 2, 1, and 2 months old and it seems like just yesterday the 12 year old was the baby. Now she's on the brink of teen years and getting ready to fly!
ReplyDeleteYOU have a very full nest indeed! If I would have had that many kids, I might have flown the coop first! lol
DeleteHi Mom. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've always liked this post. Even though my oldest is only 7, I already feel like time is flying by. Granted I have a hard time savoring the day to day life (too many loud voices for me to handle lol) but I know I'm going to miss it dreadfully in just a few years.
Brittany, I cant even believe logan is 7! Not having them underfoot every day, and now being in another state, it seems like a blur. I am missing so much. I just wanted to be a regular part of their lives you know? The overnights, trips to the pumpkin patch, roasting marshmallows..then sending them back home to you when I was worn out! ha! I try to be thankful for the years we had and not feel sorry for myself...many dont even get that.You dont think you could ever love any other kids but your very own..then..you have grandchildren, and there goes your heart.
DeleteWhat an adorable and meaningful post! I have seen how fast my children are growing and it makes me so sad to think that in no time, they will be clamoring to get away from me. I try to remind myself to accept every single cuddle, hug, and kiss I can possibly get now!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy. Having children is like having your heart walking around outside your body. No matter how old they get or how far away they are, they are and always will be a part of you. Its an adventure thats for sure! Enjoy the journey!
DeleteIt's so beautiful how you were able to chronicle that little snippet of life with your phone!!! I love technology sometimes! Thank you for sharing that...so sweet to see babies grow up - it's more bittersweet when they're your own...
ReplyDeleteYes! It was a real thrill for me! I have never been attacked by a Robin before! But this was up close and personal.Apparently, the " Mother Bear Instinct" lives in birds too!
DeleteThat was beautiful. I have little children. I'm savoring it. And yes, my husband and I realize that our kids are our priority... but so is our relationship (because when they go, it'll be just us)!
ReplyDeleteyup! It is a reward,..like a prize! Coming back together after a job well done! Or ..at least done as well as you could! Together!
DeleteThis is awesome! I love getting to look at something I otherwise would never take the time out of my day to check out! And I for sure would not climb a tree! lol Great job chronicling the little lives of these adorable birds!
ReplyDeleteJennifer from http://HappilyUprooted.com
Thank you Jennifer, I am anxious to see if the parental units return for another round of babies next spring!
DeleteGreat photos and great post! I love the analogy. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Elizebeth :)
DeleteSo sweet! How fun to be able to watch these little birdies hatch and grow. We have our first kid on the way, but I'm already in "nesting" mode and can't wait to move to suburbia land :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Buckle up your seat belts, cause you are in for the ride of your lives!! :)
DeleteThis was so beautifully said. Thank you for that. Yes, cherish what you have now.
ReplyDeleteI had a nest very close to our house this past spring and I kept a close eye on it and took quite a few pictures. It was so sad when they all just one day flew away together. For a couple of days I could see them in the palm tree and then after that nothing.
ReplyDeleteI know when my little one great up and left for college, I cried for a year. Then he came back home for summer vacation and after 2 weeks, I was ready for him to go back!! *LOL*
Hahaha! Oh yes Tammy! this is so funny, and so true!
DeleteI used to watch baby robins in nests at my grandmas house and once they would leave she would knock the nests down with a broom since they were on her porch
ReplyDeleteI save them! Have them in my house, in my gardens, tucked all over the place! I love to see the different things they weave in, and how they always line it with something soft :) like cotton from a cotton wood tree, or dog hair. Last year I had one with Easter grass woven into it!
DeleteGreat pictures. We had birds in our backyard too this year. I will have to take progress pics next year.
ReplyDeleteIt truley is a beautiful thing to watch! Kids love it too!( Almost as much as me :))
DeleteThis is a wonderful post. I love the photos. Those eggs are the most beautiful blue!
ReplyDeletefirst sign of fall....
ReplyDeleteThis article made me smile. What great pictures and story. My son & I loved watching the birds in our backyard. I hope you have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDelete-Stacey
Gluedtomycrafts.blogspot.com
Such beautiful pictures and an amazing story to remind everyone to slow down and enjoy the moment you are in now for it will not always be this way.
ReplyDeleteThis made me tear up. My baby girl is almost 4 now and it seems like it went by in a blur and it seems to be going faster and faster. I don't even want to think about my nest being empty :(
ReplyDeleteWow! Totally caught me off guard. You are so right. They grow so fast, and those young years are so precious! Going through some transitions and reading your final comment hit me hard. Left me in tears. Tears of gratitude. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteAw how cute! Fabulous pictures! But if you're being the daring tree climber, I hope you have good health insurance, just in case! Be safe!
ReplyDelete-Rebecca @ Love at First Book
Thank you, Gail for the beautiful reminder to us young moms to treasure each moment. Love your photos. That first one is amazing with the colors.
ReplyDeleteAww. What beautiful photos. I love nature and capturing those moments. It will be a strange day when its an empty nest here but for now I will enjoy the kids as small as they are.
ReplyDeleteExcellent pictures and post. Following your logic, you could easily market this as a nice children's book. There you go - your next project...
ReplyDeleteWe had some robins build a nest in the crook of a drain pipe near our back door. We got to see their total growth and learning to fly. It was sad though to see one that didn't make it. Watching nature soothes the soul and gives you a respect for life.
ReplyDeleteWe have a bluebird "motel" in our front yard and I squeal with delight whenever we have tenants. It's so fascinating, magical and delightful to watch the transformation from egg to flight.
ReplyDeletewhat a privilege to photograph those birds as they hatched and grew...Such neat photos and thoughts to go with them! Stopping by as part of the blog-a-thon.! Emily
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I have never seen birds that close!
ReplyDeletePlease don't talk about leaving the nest, I am still working past the toddler independence stage and seriously, my oldest is in grade 3. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN! It does flash by, whether we are ready for it or not :(
ReplyDeletewhat a nice story! I won't see a nest in the same way ;D
ReplyDeleteOh that is so beautiful. We are studying birds right now in Science and my daughter will love to see this. We've never seen a nest up close but would love to. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful metaphor of life! I have three kids, and I can't believe how fast time is flying.
ReplyDeleteI loved your photos as well as the story along side them. The line about the husband being the one who stays really made me smile.
ReplyDeleteaww how sweet! What a great analogy to life!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, how amazing that you were able to catch the whole process in photos. then you relate it to life so perfectly. It is true... they do grow up so fast, those darn little kiddos. Gonna break my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and photos. Birdies are my favorite and you've photographed them so lovely.
ReplyDeleteInteresting analogy. I enjoyed your photo journaling the most. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete