“Let’s go for a walk!”
Ah! I used to be a part of that, but since health issues (MS and more) keep me mostly confined to my hospital bed inside the window, that is where I do my nature watching. I often marvel how the wonders and beauties of nature are brought within sight of my window.
It has happened many times. One day I was alone at home. It was a cool morning, and my window was open less than an inch for a breath of fresh air. However, I was having a gloomy morning (self-pity?) when a sudden movement caught my eye. A charming little House Wren had stooped low to peer in at me. And then its musical message of joy rang in through the open window, transforming the gloom to cheer!
With thirty species of birds feeding within 12 feet (4 m) of my bed, there is seldom a lack of activity to watch. A bright male cardinal, singing only 2 feet (.6 m) away, seemed to be watching me. A tiny Common Yellowthroat was knocked senseless by flying against the window. I rubbed arnica on the bruised little head, admiring the delicate markings and colors till it flew away. The nuthatch, in its frenzied effort to be brave, rocks to and fro with outspread wings to look more fierce. The large Pileated Woodpeckers feed beakfuls of suet mix to their babies, their big beaks rattling together as the suet is deposited into the youngsters’ throats.
And there have been many, many more. I even had a tiny crippled mouse coming to the feeder and nibbling cracker crumbs from my fingers through the slightly open window.
The Black-capped Chickadees had a nest of young in the birdhouse on the porch. One morning I noticed an adult chickadee acting very strangely. It scolded and scolded. It acted dizzy, hanging upside down on the clothesline and evergreen twigs, still flapping and scolding. Then it fluttered helplessly and half dead to the ground below. This scene was repeated several times.
Is an enemy nearby? I wondered. The children ran outside to check for snakes in the tree, and I once more looked around the porch.
Sure enough, a Blue Jay was stealthily, slyly hopping about in the porch rafters in search of those cheeping babies to fill his stomach. Chasing the Blue Jay off restored peace for the protective parents.
A week or two later, I watched delightedly as the seven baby chickadees left the nest. One landed on the window screen by my face. (Such a CUTE little puffball!) Another landed on the dog that was taking a nap on the porch. (The dog looked amused.) All the while, the parents were calling and encouraging the remainder of the babies to take that first flight. Finally they all flew, leaving me with warm memories.
Etched clearly in my memory is one day during berry season. I had a good view of the grape arbor and some black raspberries. The chipmunks and catbirds were making sure to get their share. The boys set a homemade wooden box trap with a light-touch trigger to snap the lid shut. It was set on the arbor with a most delicious, perfect berry on the trigger.
Gazing out the window, I saw that berry and trap. Soon I saw the catbird had seen it too and was hopping around it haughtily as if it were thinking, I know what you are! But I am smarter than you, and you won’t catch me!
Away it flew! It stayed away for several hours, and I was beginning to think it was smart. Then it reappeared, and the real show began. The catbird carefully examined the trap from all angles. It flew against the trap several times, but the trap did not budge. The poor bird looked so puzzled, because it just knew that must be a trap. It pondered the situation for a long time.
Finally it flew in front of the trap, about 2 feet (.6 m) from the entrance, and studied it and pondered carefully. Definitely that berry on the trigger was the prize of the patch. The catbird flew against the lid, and I was sure the trap would snap or tumble from its narrow perch, but it didn’t.
Well, maybe it’s not a trap after all, the bird seemed to think, and hopped closer…and closer…and closer. Looking it over again, Mr. Catbird seemed more than ever to see the goodness of that berry. Closer…and still closer! Now he was at the door.
By now I was barely breathing anymore. Then that final hop to grab that berry, and BANG! (Don’t ask how badly I jumped!) The bird was caught alive, and someone took it elsewhere to release it.
Yes, here is an example of my “hikes along the trail” that I take from my window. You may say I just “happened” to see these marvelous works of God. I say it is more than that. It’s those little hugs from God.