Wednesday, December 07, 2016

It's a JUNGLE Out There!

Many times the blog posts have been about the many creatures who have from time to time taken up residency in the gardens or "nature sanctuary"" as I call, it outside my windows.

There was the coatamundi who fell in the fireplace chimney several times several years ago.  Then the hissing opposum that sounded much much bigger then it probably was as it stationed itself on the ledge outside my bedroom wall of windows at night.  Still there is the fluffy, big grey squirrel that scampers around.  Assorted feral cats pass through or take a siesta from time to time on the chaises in the sun, but, the most fascinating creature  lately, besides the golden leaves falling, is a BIG black bird.




It has decided to adopt me whenever I come home, or am sitting in the gardens or even when I'm on the other side of the wall of windows at my computer! 
How do I know this?  Well, because it doesn't just bathe or drink water from the many bird baths, but it squeaks and squeals so that I turn around to see it.  At first it appeared it was my imagination.  Then one day while eating my lunch outside in the upper garden, the bird perched on the balcony of the guest house and trilled and sang and I sang back.  The more I made sounds, the more it did.  Fascinating, to put it mildly.  Of course I have become more aware of it now that I pay attention to the sounds and flying of its big wings.

 Here it is greeting me as I came in the gate yesterday and it was making all kinds of noises.
As I walked farther into the garden it scooted down the railing and sat there watching and serenading.

The big black bird does not bother the plethora of hummingbirds or the many species of butterflies in
the gardens these days.  It is a Peaceful Kingdom within these walls.  Everyone gets along!

Wouldn't it be nice if the peacefulness of the garden could be replicated everywhere?

10 comments:

Steve Cotton said...

I believe a great-tailed grackle has adopted you. They have an amazing range of sounds and are known to mimic other birds. They tend to fill the intelligence niche crows and jays would otherwise occupy.

Babs said...

Thanks Steve, I had no idea what kind of bird it is. It sure has been a surprising experience to observe the antics and the sounds of my new "friend".

crynoutloud said...

Hola Babs,

Just for the fun of it: from ANIMAL TOTEMS,

Grackle:

Grackle can teach discernment in expressing emotions and helps balance the head and emotions. She awakens the mind with awareness as changes of perceptions are unfolding. He stirs psychic abilities and brings to consciousness latent healing gifts and creativity. Determination, focus and tenacity and using your power to its fullest potential is what Grackle can show you. At this time there is a magic of the unseen worlds coming forward. Listen to intuition as it will guide in understanding the connection to all things.

One time, the day after my wife's Aunt died, I was hiking down a fairway on the Prairie Path. Something made me stop and turn. I looked up and on the overhanging branch of a bent tree was a big great horn owl. It was so close, it scared me. I felt instantly it was Aunt Mary. I was thrilled knowing she would be close to us still. And of course her message to me that day was: wisdom. Be wise.

Babs said...

Crynoutloud - Love love love your post! I will say it took that grackle three weeks at least to get my attention, but it sure has it now. What a gift and it has made me more aware of several things I had not noticed in a long time.

I love hearing about Aunt Mary. Truly we are on the same page. Often in Nature, I see the unexpected shortly after someone has come to my mind. It still startles me, but then, I just smile and I too am thrilled to "get the message".

I so believe there is another plane of existence.

Thanks for sharing.......

Retired Teacher said...

Well, I don't have anything as exotic as a coatamundi, but I have quite a menagerie in my back yard... lots of squirrels, chipmunks, and an occasional skunk. And there are lots and lots of deer who view my garden as a salad bar. Whenever Alejandro is up here visiting, he is rather fascinated with the wildlife since he doesn't see that in Mexico City.

Babs said...

Hi Bill, Deer and chipmunks - how wonderful, except for the salad bar part. No chipmunks down here! I do remember them as a little girl in Chicago however. I forgot that I used to have a skunk pass through the garden - I wouldn't see it but could smell it, ha. Hasn't been around for years - guess it went over the mountains and did not come back...or something.

I'm sure Alejandro would love your garden and wildlife. There IS wildlife in Mexico City, just a different kind!

Joan said...

So lucky to have a bird for a friend!
I do love a salad bar except not in my garden!

Babs said...

Ha, Joan, indeed. The bird friend is getting a little weird as it is now following me around the garden........and no, I'm not feeding it!

Joan said...

Perhaps he has a message for you?!

Babs said...

Joan, funny that you should say that. I was thinking about "the bird" yesterday as I sat out in the garden. He was sitting on a branch of the loquat tree just watching me. I thought "Wow, he has an interesting personality""and into my mind popped a deliciously wacky friend who just passed on last month. I then thought about this friend and how he always surprised me and made me chuckle, etc. Who knows?

I would like to think he has come back as a bird who can soar and be free of all his pain at the end of his life.