TURF WARS

You have heard me gripe about the foolishness of the leaders of  countries who go to war over territorial disputes.  Sadly I have joined  that group of people that I don't admire. I have been at war.

First let me explain about the turf I am fighting over. I love my hammock. This is where I go to totally relax and to air out my mind. It is the one spot that I can really slip my brain into neutral. I want my hammock time!!

The location I have chosen  very carefully to hang it, is on the north/west corner of my wrap around porch. If the air is moving at all, that is that corner it seeks and the sun doesn't hit there till late afternoon plus I am hidden from the road traffic. Perfect.

For the past couple of years, I have a returning Phoebe couple that insists on building their nest right on that same corner. Each year I try to dislodge all of their initial attempts in hope that they might pick another spot.

Messy little mud and moss nest builders.

For three years, I have lost the battle. They are doggedly determined that is the only spot they can nest. Not that I mind where they build. It is that they mind where I place my hammock.

As soon as I go out to lie in that wonderful contraption, whoever was on the nest flies off and then parks on a hanging basket to give me the evil eye and mutter bird profanities.

 

Click on to enlarge. Phoebe is right by post.

I have tried lying perfectly still so they would get used to me being there and realize I am no threat. This is a bit of a bummer for I do like to swing, but I sacrificed movement, hoping they would return to the nest with me there. Not going to happen. They continue to take turns on the basket perch to glare at me.

Wuss that I am, I start worrying about the abandoned eggs  with the parents gone (there are 4 little white eggs) and I know I really will worry once they hatch for fear they won't get fed properly.

The simple thing would be for me to move the hammock, right?  But this is the perfect spot and this is my house. Each of the other corners have major drawbacks. I want my corner. I have my rights.  

So who is going to win this war? Not the gigantic human with an arsenal of deadly weapons, opposable thumbs and a huge brain. No it is the few ounces of fluff, feathers and tiny brain that will claim the territory and impose their terms on me.

The Phoebe duo and I (well mostly me) have chosen the enlightened approach which the Middle East ought to try. I want my corner--- they want my corner--- but by mutual agreement we have found a solution.

It was a solution discovered one  morning as I was  walking with Mighty. Fortunately, I am an early riser or this wouldn't work.

It seems I am allowed by the Phoebe's to use the hammock in the pre-dawn hours while Mighty is watering the Liriope and chasing bunnies. Neither of the birds seem intimidated by me in the dim lighting  and who ever is in charge of the nest at that time of morning is not easily spooked.

On the plus side, it really is pleasant for me at that time of morning. Being   around 4:30 AM, it is pre-blogging and a good time to clear the brain and shake off the morning grogginess.  The air is delightfully cool, light is just starting to soften the darkness, and the birds are all waking up to sing their little hearts out. There are so many birds singing at that time of morning that it is almost a din.

Not sure whether I have a hundred birds in residence or maybe just a half dozen very talented Mocking Birds mimicking a hundred birds. The variety of songs do seem to come from the same areas. Regardless, I love it and I get in a good half hour of hammock time.

So the problem is solved, not perfectly, but solved. Are you paying attention world leaders? It is called sharing and compromise. Simple.

Have you ever let a creature bring you to your knees and alter your course?