My Writing Has Gone to the Birds

In case you are wondering what I’m up to.

My writing desk is in a north facing window, looking up towards a cow pasture on a hill, with the Blue Ridge mountains in the background. A large, leafless Hydrangea flanks one side of the window. This shrub has grown so large it covers the side of the house and we have pruned a pathway under it to allow passage along the house to our backyard. The birds love this tree.

I started my day with the intentions of catching up on my writing. I write fiction. I have several series running at once and it seems I jump back and forth working on different episodes and story lines. There is no method to my madness but before long I realize, I haven't published anything in a long time. It is time to knuckle down and finish something.

But then a big fat female Cardinal lands on the tree branch directly in front of my window. Although not as colorful as the rich red male cardinal, she is still stunning. Her bright salmon colored beak is unique. We check each other out for a few minutes before she hops out of my sight.

I believe the birds have decided the ground beneath the Hydrangea has something good to eat today. I continue to have many visitors. I am surprised to see four woodpeckers picking and pecking on the ground. I am not used to seeing so many at once.

To be sure they are in fact woodpeckers, I google pictures of them. They have bright red splotches on the back of their heads and dark gold underneath their wings. Sure enough, they are the common Northern Flicker. They spend awhile grazing the yard in strutting zig-zags. Several black Starlings with rainbow feathers join them.

It is a peaceful revery, save for my lazy dog snoring on the bed behind me.

I continue to enjoy watching my feathered friends until the screech of a hawk comes over top of the house. He swoops down over all the birds and lands in the dead ash tree on the hillside. The birds scatter. The hawk is not lucky enough to scoop up a snack. He sits on his perch and watches a moment before gliding smoothly away. I am not sure if he is a Coopers Hawk or a Red-Tailed Hawk. We have both. It is not unusual to see several during the day. We have fields surrounding us and two ponds on our property. It is a great hunting ground for birds of prey. They especially like frogs. They are fond of sitting in the knobby pine that curves over the pond and eating their fresh catches.

The Northern Flickers return once the hawk leaves. They really must be enjoying what they are scavenging under my window. Finally, as I write this, a Blue Jay lands in the Hydrangea for the finale. He only stays for a moment before he flutters off.

They are all gone now. I have spent half the morning watching them and now there is not a single one around. Where do they all disappear to?

Maybe they have stories to write.

Time to get back to work!

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