Monday, April 2, 2012

Squatter's Rights

I've been moving plants out of the greenhouse a little at a time and there's finally a clear view for a few pictures. 

The red spider mites are taking over the joint and the temperatures are topping out at over 100 degrees, but apparently some creatures find this environment appealing.  Looking through the front doors to the back south east corner, I found a little surprise.  

A female cardinal built her nest in the pencil cactus.

I guess the pencil cactus and plumeria providing nearby support are going to have to stick it out in the greenhouse a little longer while they play host to a family of cardinals.

I think Mrs. Cardinal has laid 3 eggs.  I've tried to respect her privacy and not invade her space too much.

She is very skitterish and doesn't hang around if I get too close.  One false move and out the window she goes with a squawk.

Through the back windows you can see that there are still a lot of plants in the greenhouse. Unloading will continue, but I'll work around the cardinals and try not to bother them too much.


Smaller plants get loaded into my trusty, faded yellow wagon and off they go to find a home under a shade tree.

8 comments:

  1. I love it! What a nice surprise, Ally! This is the best time of year - there are daily discoveries.

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    1. It is a wonderful suprise! I'm eagerly awaiting the birth of these new babies. I hope they're hungry for worms and bugs.

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  2. WOW! I love your greenhouse. It looks huge. I have a female Cardinal that made a nest in a Mediterranean bay that is only about 5 feet tall. She will easily take flight if I get too close. Yesterday, I noticed she has three eggs also, which is very exciting. I guess we are both hosting the next generation.

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    1. Thanks. This is my first year with my new greenhouse and I love it. There's lots of space for me and a little extra for the local wildlife too.

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  3. How funny. I guess it was just the right place for a nest.

    I love your greenhouse. You have a lot of room there.

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    1. I guess you never know where a bird is going to build a nest. When I lived in San Antonio, a crazy bird built it's nest in our basketball hoop back board. There weren't many trees in that neighborhood, so I guess she just had to make due.

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  4. Gardening is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get:) Love your greenhouse.

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    1. Funny, lately I've been cutting the gardening chocolates with the tasty worm centers. I don't eat them, but the chickens think they're yummy.

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