In case I haven't made it perfectly clear: I LOVE WATCHING BIRDS. This morning a couple sparrows were showering in a neighbor's sprinkler. And another neighbor's pine tree is a birdie apartment. This morning's agenda was nesting.
A pair of birds found an old rag on our deck with irresistible shreds of terry-cloth strings. The male watched as his female companion desperately tried to free a few pieces of the string to no avail. She tried so hard that she left a little poopy on the deck. After their unsuccessful attempt I took pity on them and ripped a few strips off, and placed some grass clippings there as well. Sure enough, they returned and left with a beak full of bits from the rag. Realizing this wasn't enough they came back again, and with no more unattached strings to bring home, momma bird was again trying to tug them free. This is when the male bird came in to see what he could do. He put one piece of dead grass in his beak and hopped around all proud of himself showing his partner, "look honey! Look what I got!" She largely ignored him even though he made every attempt to hop in front of her like, "Don't you see?? I HAVE A PIECE OF GRASS IN MY MOUTH! Let's go!" It was as if all her previous trips back to the nest with mouthfuls of string that probably weighed more than she did, feathers and all, did not make him realize she was in it for more than one measly piece of dead grass.
This went on for about an hour, and they didn't seem to mind me sitting there with my camera. I uploaded some photos of their quest to build the perfect nest here: http://robandemily.com/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=9551