Wild Things

I LOVE baby birds! I remember living in Missouri (ages 6-9), walking home from school one day and finding a bird nest with Robin eggs. I thought they were sooo cool. And then in Virginia we had a couple of baby birds that I kept an eye on until they hatched. Same thing in California and my folks house here in Texas. Well last year, a momma bird (I believe she is a Sparrow) decided to build a next on our back porch next to the porch light. At first I didn't know what the heck was going on. I had opened the door one night either to let Titan out or in, I had stepped on the back porch and something almost dive bombed my head. That was when I first saw the nest. The next morning I went out and climbed the ladder that was outside and peaked in, sure enough...baby eggs. I told Clint and Lorelle about 'em. And made sure to always very carefully go outside and to try to not disturb Momma. When you walk outside she flies away very quickly, but never too far. Usually to rest in the tree that is sticking out of our concrete back porch, a patio chair or the closest tree across the yard. It was only right before the babies hatched that she got used to me enough to stay in the nest and not fly away. But I try to respect her and go outside as little as possible if I know she is there.

Titan also got used to her. He would bark at other birds that tried to come close to the porch. It's amazing what animals will do for each other. I did not think after Momma had her babies last year and when they flew the nest that it would ever be used again. Now, I don't know that it is the same Momma - but it's the same kind of bird with the exact same patterns so in my mind it's Momma. I was so excited to see her back this year. And this year I got pictures!!! I don't know how I didn't manage to get any last year.

Also while I was out taking pictures, I noticed a "rock" sitting on top of a patio chair...turns out it wasn't...it was a cute little toad! Mister Lizard was out on the rain gutter too, but by the time I got around the getting his picture apparently I'd taken too long to acknowledge him so he left.

But here are my wild things! Including the WILDEST of them all!!!!