Nature Notes: Empty Nest
July 21st, 2011 by Leora
On Sunday our robins had many feathers and open, dark eyes.
And then there were none. On Monday, my daughter noticed only one bird was left in the nest. By midday, when I thought to take a photo, it was gone.
Portulaca is a great flower to grow if you have an area that gets a lot of sun. It spreads nicely, and you can tell from its thick green leaves it doesn’t need a lot of water, because it stores water in those fat leaves.
I have portulaca (also known as moss rose) growing in my front yard next to other flowers such as rudbeckia. It’s an annual, so I need to replant it each year. The seeds are tiny, so grow them first in growing media apart from your garden so you won’t lose them. The truth is, I think I just sprinkled the tiny seeds in this area and was lucky that two survived into flowerhood.
I’m fairly certain a deer ate this tomato. How could a groundhog reach up into those tall branches and bite off the top of the tomato plant?
It used to look like this tomato. I’ve never had such problems growing tomatoes. I bought materials for a fence in the late spring, but I’m waiting for one of my sons to be available so we can set it up. And it’s been so hot, too.
A whimsical catbird sits on the fence in our backyard.
For more Nature Notes:
We are trying to grow zucchini but slugs eat them. Your flowers are beautiful..
This is the first year I have had success with one large zucchini plant. I’m growing it in a makeshift cage (chicken wire around next to tomato cage), and thus far, not eaten by an animal. We don’t seem to have slugs here, thankfully.
And the robins are on their way…how much fun they are to watch… I had a vegetable garden at our first house…it was a lot of fun to have my daughter involved….
Stopping by from Michelle’s Nature Notes. Great collection of photos. My favorite is the first shot of the baby birds.
I am full of admiration over your thriving garden. I know of people who grow tomatoes in Norway too, but the usually have a green house to help mother nature.
Your portulacas are even rare as indoor plants here. I wouldn’t even think to set them even on the terrace. My hydrangeas are thriving; lots of water and sour soil.
The birds leaving nest are a beautiful illustration for your previous article; the coach teaching people to handle the watershed moments of life.
It gave me a lot to think about. I guess becoming old and helpless is what I am least prepared of; as was my parents.
The end of the circle is so problematic to relate to. To need assistance, but be reluctant to accept it. I guess all our lives we have been awarded for becoming clever and independent, and suddenly the most wise thing to do is accepting help, maybe even from strangers. Hmm. Maybe some already are coaching senior citizens too,- in America, I mean.
Yes, in the U.S. we have coaches for seniors, as well as senior who are trained as coaches (or/and as therapists).
After working with a professional coach or therapist for a while, they no longer feel like strangers.
Love that last picture. I guess that is what they mean by “Sitting in the catbird’s seat.”
LOVE those baby robins! Really nice photo of them. I used to have a ton or portulaca and it reseeded itself. But I have none this year, which is too bad because it would probably be ecstatic about the hot dry weather we have right now.
What beauties. I love the robin babes…too cute…too fluffy…great shot.
Lovely photos, especially the first one!
I love the shots of the birds leaving the nest. Your garden has so many delights.
great that your robins have fledged…
Baby robins like grape jelly!! Mama Robin may already be making a new nest and getting ready for at least one more family! Daddy Robin is the caretaker of all young robins. ~karen
I asked a friend – she said robins don’t re-use nests. So even if mama does hatch some new eggs, they probably won’t be so close to our porch next time.