As the weather began warming up here, we wondered if the robins would return this year. We never took down last year’s nest in case they had plans to reuse it. This nest was built just beneath our deck in a spot that if we crouched down we could see it through the gap between the deck boards. We peered down into it this spring, but didn’t see any activity happening. I realized why when I was out on the patio cleaning things up and getting some of the plants re-planted in their summer homes.

The robins have returned, but they decided to build a new nest:

Their new nest is not too far from last year’s abode, though for us humans spying on our avian neighbors it is in a spot that makes it a little trickier to view from above. That said, we did glimpse some blue eggs in the new nest so it likely won’t be long before we have some hungry new neighbors. Mom has been dutifully sitting on the nest each morning when I go out to water the plants, and I think she’s decided that I’m not much of a threat because some days she doesn’t budge from her spot as I putter around on the patio below.

Up above on the deck we do have some other winged neighbors keeping us entertained. The carpenter bees spend the day out in the sun performing their aerial acrobatics and trying to chase off the wasps. Sometimes when they can’t find a wasp to attack they end up chasing other carpenter bees. Here’s a photo I attempted to take the other day of two carpenter bees chasing each other. Sorry it’s so blurry those insects are fast:

Most of the time they just hang out, hovering in midair with their back legs dangling down making them look a little bit goofy. Perhaps we should hire these carpenters to fix up our old deck. (Yes, I know that despite their name these bees are more in the deconstruction business than the building business.)

Meanwhile the human nest next door is getting increasingly closer to being ready for its new residents. We are becoming cautiously optimistic. We can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that your spring is going well, and that you too have cause for optimism, cautious or otherwise.

All the best,

Alissa

This week’s inspiration:

What I’m reading: Self Esteem at the End of the World by Luke Healy

What I’m watching: The Beekeeper

What I’m listening to: “Africa” by Toto