Saturday May 28th
Mother Robin flew off this morning as always and I crept closer to her nest which I haven’t done for days. Three small heads, silent but pointing towards the sky, looked out, her babies are born. I wondered what happened to the fourth egg. No sooner had a smile appeared on my face she was back flapping her wings and warning me away, worms wriggling in her mouth. I made a hasty retreat to indoors and watched her dipping into the potted plants for food and returning to her brood. Perhaps when the land is clear we might take a photograph although I don’t think she will leave them unprotected for very long.
The gardenia bush is growing thicker and taller and has forgone its usual feeding and extra watering so as not to disturb her nest. The bush is so dense you wouldn’t know a nest was there which was not the case when she started, but she knows a lot more about doing this than I do. Perhaps the gardenias this year will be happier knowing that they provided a home for another living being to flourish? Growing them in this climate is either a brave or foolish endeavor, too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, too windy in the spring but somehow these two bushes in separate pots, flower for a few weeks each year with their gorgeous, perfumed blossoms. I bought them from a nursery years ago, dark green, thick, and luscious leaves looking dense and healthy. Now in the mountain light they seem more fragile but still sturdy enough to provide an enveloping home for a mother. It is good enough for today when all new life is a gift.
