By Staff
Across the street from my home there is a sugar maple tree. A number of limbs are now missing, thanks to a few unkind, brusque winds.
Where chunks of bark were, starting at the base, grow mushrooms that wind their way up the trunk like a spiral staircase.
But this is not the finish for this once magnificent tree.
It is still very useful. Most would want to cut it down, but as it poses no threat to people or property, why not let it be?
Many creatures make their home inside. A couple of woodpeckers, like the northern flicker and the red-bellied, call it home.
Because of this dead tree, I'm able to enjoy these splendid birds in my gardens and at my feeders.
I know spring is making its unseen presence known when I hear the funny calls they make.
I can hear them drumming in a tree somewhere close by.
Homes and habitats for wildlife are quickly becoming scarce. They're being squeezed out.
Last Friday, as I was getting my mail, I looked up. A crane. How breath-taking. Flying overhead, it headed north almost effortlessly. I find watching nature's creatures so interesting, so enlightening and informative, a learned educator.
Later inside, I stood looking out from my dining room window, watching the variety of birds feeding from the feeders.
There, perched on the feeder, was a small male house finch.
As I watched the small bird feeding, it nonchalantly ducked.
A hawk had just swooped past the window like an arrow!
So, this was the reason the small bird ducked.
In a flash I thought, jeez o' pete, bird, you just about bought the farm!
And your response is too just duck?
It just sat there and continued to feed.
My mind screamed flee, bird, flee!
Quick! Find cover before the hawk returns and sends in the second wave.
Seeing it wasn't gonna flee, I flapped the curtain.
It promptly flew into the aborvitae some five feet away.
Wow! Was that close or what?
I don't mind if the hawk plucks a few sparrows or house finches now and then.
But my hope is that it will please spare the chickadees, titmice, cardinals, mourning doves, white- and red-bellied nuthatches, northern flickers and downy and red-bellied woodpeckers. Please.
I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.