Sharing Space with My Feathered Friends- by Susan Tucker

"Those damn birds!" That's what I woke up to exactly three years ago this spring - the first spring we spent in our new house.

I couldn't blame my husband for voicing his frustrations. I had also watched as a couple of birds (or was it just one frantic one?) built up a nest in the rafters of our deck roof. At first we thought nothing of it, but as time went by, they (he) would come in and out and in and out, constantly sending the dogs off into a barking rampage. It finally became such a nuisance we resorted to hooking up a power washer to our hose and drowned them out of their home.

Yeah, I know, that was pretty cruel. I still lose sleep over it

Then came the spring of 05, the year we decided to start a family of our own. The little things in life are suddenly viewed from a new perspective. We didn't have the heart to evict them that year. That was the year we experienced life anew as papa and mama built their home in eager anticipation of babies (who came surprisingly sooner than we expected). We sat back in fascination as sweet little bird parents worked hard to bring food to the littlest ones. We got used to their cute little chirping noises - even the dogs had gotten used to it. Then, sadly, after a few weeks they were gone. Our deck felt so empty.

Spring is back again and so are the birds. I told my son the story of the birds this morning and look forward to watching and sharing as the cycle starts again. Right now they're still acquiring the bits and pieces of twigs that will eventually be home to babies. I'll explain how mama and papa want things to be just right, because when their little babies arrive, they'll spend their time finding food for babies to grow and eventually fly out on their own.

If there is one thing that I've learned from the birds, it's that life is short. Pretty soon, my own baby bird will be grown up and out on his own, too. I just want to be sure and experience all the joys that life has to offer while I still have him here to share them with me ... including sharing space with my feathered friends.

Interested in learning more about local bird watching? Click here!