Spruce Tree, Hawthorns, Bees, Snakes, Birds Nest, Madness, and the Virus

Not necessary in that order.

What does a Rhododendron bush blooming and Muse’s Madness have in common? Nothing!
But I like the slide show and I like the song. So there you have it.

Finally after 10 years, cutting up the large fallen spruce tree.

Cutting back the the second side of the overgrown Hawthorn Hedge.

The second row of Hawthorns still needs to be cut back 3.31.20

Both sides of the Hawthorn hedge now are cut back. The yard slowly being transformed.

Birds nest and the Intruder

Back in March it was decided to leave tearing down the Hardy Kiwi arbor for a later date. The idea was, after discovering a Morning Doves nest with two eggs, leaving the arbor alone would allow the doves to hatch their eggs and raise the brood. The activity in the area was too much for the doves. Instincts told the doves the neighborhood was now unfit to raise a family. The nest and eggs were abandoned. Nature directed the doves to find a new home and build another nest for their family raring.

Unfortunately, while clearing out the fallen spruce tree, another morning doves nest with one egg was discovered. I hope I haven’t disturbed another nest of the same Morning Dove pair. That would be terribly sad. But I was not done. Minutes later I disturbed and uncovered a Robin’s nest with three beautiful blue/green eggs.

In a months time three birds nest with eggs waiting to be hatched were clumsily discovered forcing the parents to abandon all their instinct driven hard work and hopes of procreation. The mates(Nature telling them they are Failed Parents) will be driven to work even harder to find a new home and start new broods.

After years of allowing the yard to become overgrown, I have declared to all settlers that this is their yard, their sanctuary. All are welcome. Probably many of the same mating pairs have been coming back numerous seasons to start new families. Now, on a whim to be industrious, I am an intruder, a thoughtless invader selfishly playing in the yard with little care, destroying the homes of several species.

Morning Doves nest in the old fallen spruce tree.

Robins nest in the thicket surrounding the old Spruce.

Under the leaf litter of the Hawthorn hedge.

Virus

Tomorrow 05.20.20 the Governor has declared will be the start of easing quarantine and stay at home restrictions. Mostly affected will be small businesses. Is this the beginning of the end of a pandemic or the end of the beginning for new norms of society?

Numbers: State 3,408 deaths reported. US 90,694 deaths reported. World wide 318,000 deaths reported.

It is unsettling to hear individual deaths and tragedies labeled and reported as statistics. Nothing is more defined, singular, deeply felt and impacting than the lose of a life.