Unexpected Guests

Cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Mon, 11 Jul 2022
  • 1198 reads
13 comments
 

Dear diary...it's the beginning

of July 2022 when down our

narrow path I meander to

ramshackle lean-to, with its

window panes now spent;

collapsed due to winter's

unforgiving bracing winds.

 

It's late afternoon when finding

myself way back in the eaves

where it's cooler, out of sun's

rays as I sit and read, suddenly

realizing I'm not the only one

sheltering;

 

unexpected movement up in the

rafters draws my attention of snug

nest, a spiral that's mixed intricately

flawless; I'm spellbound marveling at

this assembled shelter.

 

Jenny Wren flies in, perches on edge

of chair, aware of my stare, yet unafraid...

though a little shy. Thrilled at what I'm

seeing, taken sixty eight years to

experience such closeness of nature.

 

This little bird tilting head; questioning

danger without chirping, pauses briefly –

tail lifted bobbing head, then becomes

airborne in search of insects,

 

still within baby chicks stir, I'm consumed

by this wonder; keeping very still and quiet,

wildest hearts would melt enjoying these

moments half hidden; a private embrace

of hope,

 

life stirring will eventually be free

to fly at will; this passing pleasure

entrusted to us. Wholeheartedly

I sit open minded as summer

consumes energy, while in this

season's rhythm chicks will

hopefully flourish.

 

Pixabay free image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

Submitted by marandina on

A lovely pic and a beautiful, peaceful reverie. Right there with you again, Jenny. Enjoyed, of course. Paul 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

it's moments like these that leave me in such wonder at nature. I'm so glad you could capture that magic along with me. Thank you so much for reading and your thoughts.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

How special! As Paul says, I felt I was seeing the wren, too, you really conveyed the intimacy and wonder of this encounter

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di,

you know normally birds fly away if you get too close, and I felt as if I was imposing on their territory, but sitting there, gazing up at the nest and seeing tiny movements from within, and the Jenny Wren flying backwards and forwards with beaks of food was so heart warming.

I've watched baby chicks in the nest on tv, but never experienced anything like that in real life. Me and my partner feel they've flown the nest, as over the passed two days there's been no movement at all. I hope they survived.

Thank you for reading and your kind words, and I'm glad I was able to convey the wonder of this encounter.  

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

How delightful! Such a lovely little bird, I'm always pleased when I notice it, and it is easy to identify with its small size and upright tail.

Going to our chapel at the end of the week I was remembering that before the little car park was laid well with small stones, the centre used to form a dip where cars turned and a muddy puddle remained there when elsewhere had dried up and we used to see martins flitting round and scooping up mud there for building their nests nearby. And then I noticed just such a puddle in a drive opening off, and the same was happening there now! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

you know we've had other nesting birds up in the rafters, but only seen empty nests. I think the baby chicks must have been close to leaving the nest, because on Saturday there were two Jenny Wrens flying around...mum and dad I presume.

That must have been fascinating to watch the Martins collecting mud for their nests...nature is so resillient. Our old lean-to has been a shelter for cats, bees, spiders, snails. Some previous owners used to keep chickens in there, but that was way back in the 1960s. 

I enjoyed hearing about the House Martins, will have to look up information about them. Thank you for sharing your experience and reading my diary piece.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by celticman on

it's a wow moment, Jenny. Sometimes it does take a lifetime of waiting. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack, yes you're right about a wow moment. It's something I've never experienced before, well not in my own back garden anyway. Now I know how farmers must feel when they have barns, and baby owls nest.

It's very kind of you to stop by and read. 

Thank you for commenting too, always appreciated.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

How amazing for you Jenny - you're so lucky! Do please try to take a pic for us

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi insert,

I did take a picture on my new camera, but there's three thousand seven hundred and eighty four more shots left to take before I can get the film developed. I don't know how to upload photos onto the computer from my camera,  and my son's not around to help me. It's very frustrating, but the photos I took are not that brilliant either.

It was also a bit hard to capture because although I tried to be discreet, the flash on the camera upset the Jenny Wren and left me feeling slighly heartless. But I was glad I managed to keep a record of my experience in this poem, its moments like this I won't forget in a hurry.

Thank you for reading and letting me know you liked.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

HI THERE EDITORS, I'M ALWAYS SO GRATEFUL FOR THOSE CHERRIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. smiley

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

that is so sweet. Did the bird feed the chicks when she realised you were there?  

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jean,

yes two wrens were feeding, but almost the day after I put this poem on, the wrens had gone, so I'm thinking the babies were big enough to leave the nest and that's why I was able to finally see movement. I just hope they all survive.

Thank you for reading and your thoughts. Hope you're not too uncomfortable during this hot spell.

Jenny. smiley