Tuesday, June 15, 2010

A Bird in the Box is Worth Two in the Hand

It happens every Spring, a baby bird falls from its nest into our booth in the Arbors and this year was no exception.  These sweet lil birds love to build their nests way up in the metal rafters of the pavillions a good 20 feet high.  Which is a good plan unless the babies take a tumble during the insanity of the First Monday show!

On Thursday, smack dab in the middle of the show with a booth full of people, Hubster called me at the Shoppe and said, "a baby bird has fallen from one of the nests, what do we do?"  I told him to put the baby into a small open box and place it on top of one of the tall hutches on the back wall of the booth.  An hour later, he called and reported that the mom and dad had found the lil guy.  They were going in and out of the box caring for him, even amidst all the activity in the booth.

This excited every one, staff and customers alike as they watched the sweet family affair!  For three days, this went on, mom and dad going in and out of the box, baby doing just fine, and then came Sunday....our tear-down day.  We have to be out of the building by midnight on Sunday because by Monday morning the building is occupied by contractors tearing down walls, and workers with blowers and equipment cleaning up the remnants of the show.  Not at all a good scene for a baby bird in a box.  What to do?

So, on Sunday evening we climbed up a ladder and hung the box as high as we could get it on the wall.  Then secured it with rope and waited.  Within just a few minutes, mom and dad appeared on the scene and were again going in and out of the box.  They never missed a beat...isn't that something?  I must confess that I was thankful these weren't Mockingbirds or Blue Jays.  Any of you that have ever attempted to help a baby Mockingbird or Blue Jay that has fallen from the nest will know what I mean....they are not happy campers when you go near their babies!  But, these sweeties watched from a distance as if they knew we were helping.

We continued to check on things to make sure all was well.  And, I'm happy to report that within a few days, the little guy flew the box!  I wish I had some photos to share with you, but it didn't occur to me during the craziness of the show.  However, I did snap some photos today of these sweet birds that reside on the First Monday grounds, as well as the cardboard highrise that now has a vacancy!

Birds are the most incredible parents...don't you think so?
I never cease to be moved by them.

We can do no great things,
only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa


14 comments:

mzzterry said...

how sweet. of the birds & of you guys to go to all that trouble to help the baby birds. that means a lot....i knew you were that kinda person....bless you.

Sherry Goodloe said...

I'm glad your hubby called you and I'm happy to hear that the baby is just fine now! What great foster parents you two were :)

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

How great of you to help the little bird! What a sweet story.
xo, Sherry

Brynwood Needleworks said...

What a wonderful story, LaurieAnna! I think it's just the sweetest thing that the parents took care of their baby in spite of all the excitement.
You did a good thing, my friend.
xoxo
Donna

raggygirlvintage said...

Hang on to that highrise, sounds like you'll be needing it again!
Tracey

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Laurie, this post is just beautiful, and it reminds me of a time when you and I were going somewhere together, when you lived in Corsicana, a baby bird had fallen out of it's nest and was on the street, and I belive you took the little guy home and cared for it, and you new exactly how to care for it, because you had already done your research on taking care of them! ( Do you remember this, it's been a long time ago.) I agree what great foster parents!!! Blessings~~~Daphne

Sueann said...

Loving this post! How sweet that you all could save the baby from a terrible plight! And the quote from Mother Theresa...so beautiful!
She was an amazing woman
Hugs
SueAnn

LaurieAnna's Vintage Home said...

Daphne, yes I do remember that! And yes, that was a loooooong time ago, and many baby birds back! Do they look for me or do I look for them?.... Can't figure out which one it is!

Tracy said...

Awwwwwww that's so sweet, and yeah really glad it wasn't a mockingbird, those things are so mean.

Claudia said...

I love this story! I am continually in awe of the devotion bird have for their babies. What a good idea to use the box for the baby.

This makes me smile!

xo
Claudia

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

What a wonderful thing to do LaurieAnna...your husband did a great job of securing the box to the beams! Wouldn't that be a wonderful site to see and what good parents the little sparrows were. Thanks for sharing this with us and have a wonderful day...Maura :)

Elsie said...

LaurieAnna mother of adopted Zeek,
you don't suprise me. How nice of
you two to foster a baby birdie.
I bet he or she comes back to have
their brew there now they have their own condo. LOL.":O)

Charlene said...

What a precious story!!!!!!!! I love to watch the PEEPS in my backyard. And it is so cool that Momma & Poppa bird just rolled with the punches. Have a great week. Charlene

Julie said...

Love birds... Loved your story. Thanks so much for sharing about it...God knows when one drops to the ground, so I know He was pleased with all your efforts to save that little guy. Kudos, and Hurray!