(Photo: Ivy Geranium/MyShadyGarden)
It has been a lovely day in Middleton, WI where I am visiting my mother. This morning she gave me a tour of the garden by her front door. I took some time to admire the Jackmanii clematis in its full glory, Stellla d’Oro daylilies glowing a bright gold, and the new Weeping Alaskan Arborvitae evergreen and so on.
Her enthusiasm for gardening has been instilled in me and we can spend quite a bit of time discussing various flowers and the merits of adding this or that plant to a garden bed. However, this morning she told me about other kindred garden loving souls.
While watering her very lovely ivy geranium hanging basket about a month ago, a bird flew away. Upon closer inspection, my mom saw that a little bird made a nest in and amongst the ivy geranium.
(Photo: Birds Nesting/MyShadyGarden)
Now a month later with the fledglings one week old, they are properly behaved rather quiet little birdies. My mom thinks they like the hanging basket because it is like a cradle (very much like the limbs on a tree I suppose). She sings ‘Rock a Bye Baby’ with a smile on her face as she waters very gently – she can’t let her hanging pot just dry up, but is taking care not to disturb the little brood.
These well behaved polite little birds put up with my mom lifting the basket off the hook and bringing it down so the grand kids can see them. Four little birds, with one bird a lot more precocious that the others – undoubtedly the one who gets fed first and who will probably be the first to leave the next. Not unlike some human families you might know.
Not being an expert, we are guessing these are wrens, but that is just a guess. Anyone know? Mama bird flies away when she sees my mom approach rather than put up with any kind of a dousing. But remember mama bird chose the accommodations and always does return. We garden loving humans sure enjoy watching these kindred souls grow…
