I’ve been trying to squeeze in every last second of porch time while the weather is still warm. But while I was trying to read my book the sound of a bird squawking incessantly was breaking my concentration.
I looked around and saw it was a Mama cardinal who was doing the squawking and she seemed to be staring right at me. She was pumping her tail aggressively while her piercing chirps were not to be overlooked.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
My husband Steven came out on the porch just as I asked my question. “What’s wrong with who?” He asked.
“Mama cardinal over there!” I sighed. “She’s driving me nuts!”
“Maybe she’s protecting her nest?” Steven suggested.
“In September?” I didn’t looked convinced. “Seems a little late to me.”
Steven took out his phone. “Well, let’s see.” He began typing. A few seconds later he nodded his head. “It says here that this could be her last brood of the season and she’s watching over her fledglings while they learn to fly.”
I sat up and looked under the tree she was in. “Do you think one of her babies is on the ground?” I asked now feeling concerned.
“Maybe.” Steven agreed. “But the last thing we need to do is go over there and see.”
While Steven and I were having our discussion the Mama bird wasn’t letting up. If anything she was getting more agitated.
“So, what are we suppose to do about it?” I looked over at Steven, who was still reading his phone.
“It says the best way to tell if she’s upset because you’re out is to just go in the house and see if she stops.”
We looked over at Mama cardinal whose tail flicking and manic call were somehow getting louder.
“Okay, fine.” I sighed as I took my book and got up from my chair. “Let’s see if that’s what’s bothering her.”
We went back in the house and went to the dining room window to watch her. She continued her frantic calls for a few more minutes and then abruptly stopped and flew back into the cover of the tree.
“Are you kidding me?” I cried as I looked over at Steven.
Steven shrugged his shoulders. “Well, at least you know it was you upsetting her.”
Our son Alex walked into the dining room. “Who are you upsetting?” He asked.
I pointed out the window. “A bird!” I cried.
Alex looked confused.
“Your Mom was sitting out on the back porch…”
I couldn’t help but interject. “Trying to enjoy the last of this beautiful weather!”
Steven nodded. “And it seems a cardinal is watching over her babies leaving the nest and your Mom is scaring her.”
Alex laughed. “So now what are you going to do?”
I looked over at Steven shaking my head. “I guess if I’m going to be a good neighbor I’ll sit somewhere else for the next few days.” I sighed.
“It might not be that long.” Steven tried to reassure me. “We can always try again tonight when we eat dinner out there.”
I looked back out the window and still couldn’t see her. “You going to be alright with that?” I called out to her.
“I guess we’ll find out tonight.” Alex said.
