Bird Watching...

Truman has become quite the bird-man lately. For Christmas he asked for - and got - birdwatching supplies. His actual request was so cute I don't think anyone could have turned him down. He asked for binoculars, a bird book, bird food, good boots & a little vest with lots of pockets to hold all his supplies. He didn't actually get the little vest, but the rest was waiting for him on Christmas morning & he has loved them ever since. He has been spending a lot of time with his very patient big sister sitting in a tree watching for all the birds that come to visit our yard. Maddie has been kind enough to take notes for him so he can keep track of the birds he's spotted. We've found lots of nests in our yard this year & we had a family of doves living in our pepper tree. We spotted them right before the babies got too big for the nest & had to spend their time hiding in the yard waiting for mama & papa to come back with snacks. This presented a small problem at our house - every afternoon we let our small flock of chickens out to roam & scratch & peck & nibble and they seem to be a very territorial bunch. When the chickens are out and spot any other bird in their yard they charge - head down, wings flapping, full steam ahead at the intruder. When the chickens found the babies hiding near the lemon tree and started flapping & making all sorts of noise Truman decided that he would stand guard over the baby doves while they were staying in our yard. So, for the next few afternoons he stood between the babies and the chickens & shooed them away when they got too close. It was too cute, he was an awesome babysitter. The baby doves have flown the coop & now we watch the skies and hope they stop by the feeder for a visit.