This is our third summer in our Belize home so we are starting to recognize patterns. Patterns with the weather, the plants, the animals and such. I'm even finding that we can insert our opinions into the odd conversation with friends who have been here longer and we have a little credibility...just a little!
On that note, here is my story of Lil' Red Bird. And yes, no question about it, I am romanticizing nature. Or 'Disney-fying' it, as I like to say! Lil' Red Bird came to live with us during our first summer here. Officially he is a Vermilion Flycatcher but that doesn't roll off the tongue like Lil' Red Bird. He's a tiny little thing but his vibrant colour makes him easy to spot all over the yard. He has a favourite place on the fence just across from the patio so it's easy for us to keep an eye on him.
During our first year here he had a mate. She was a much paler shade of grey and red and they were always together. Pretty much everyday from mid-September to March or April we could spot them on their favourite spot on the fence. And then they were gone. March through to April seem to be a transition time for birds. I guess that's when they take off for the summer in the north. We still have lots of birds here but less variety than the in the cooler months.
On that note, here is my story of Lil' Red Bird. And yes, no question about it, I am romanticizing nature. Or 'Disney-fying' it, as I like to say! Lil' Red Bird came to live with us during our first summer here. Officially he is a Vermilion Flycatcher but that doesn't roll off the tongue like Lil' Red Bird. He's a tiny little thing but his vibrant colour makes him easy to spot all over the yard. He has a favourite place on the fence just across from the patio so it's easy for us to keep an eye on him.
During our first year here he had a mate. She was a much paler shade of grey and red and they were always together. Pretty much everyday from mid-September to March or April we could spot them on their favourite spot on the fence. And then they were gone. March through to April seem to be a transition time for birds. I guess that's when they take off for the summer in the north. We still have lots of birds here but less variety than the in the cooler months.
Well on schedule, Lil' Red Bird came back last year but with no sign of his mate. Now, this is where I get all Disney but it made me so sad to see him alone all the time. I kept holding out hope that his mate would show up. You know, maybe she was just closing up the nest up north and she'd follow soon. But no...she never came. It could very well be that this is completely normal for this breed of bird. I really know next to nothing about birds but it seemed sad to me. Hardly a day would go by that I didn't see him on his usual perch. I'd even find myself a little worried if I couldn't spot him right away but then I'd see that little flash of red and all would be fine.
Right about here is where Adam will be rolling his eyes. But I can't help it. I've always been that way. The kid who brings home orphans and strays...I don't know how my parents put up with it. At least now I'm not trying to make a pet of everything!
Right about here is where Adam will be rolling his eyes. But I can't help it. I've always been that way. The kid who brings home orphans and strays...I don't know how my parents put up with it. At least now I'm not trying to make a pet of everything!
For the last few months I've anxiously awaited Lil' Red Bird's return and he's back. I know, I know! I really have no proof what-so-ever that this is the same bird but this is where I play my Disney card. I can envision him flapping his little grey wings for hundreds (maybe thousands!) of miles to get back to his human family and the familiar perch on our fence. Yah...I'm sure that's how it happened. So, Lil' Red Bird is back with us again hopefully for the whole winter. Still no mate but I like to think that we are his family (sort of)!
And just for the record...no, I haven't been drinking!!
And just for the record...no, I haven't been drinking!!