My New Buddy

[Paddy]

Figured I would post this given its a laughable moment and we could all use one. Last year I had a small bird who decided to make a mud nest within my rolled up rear cover. He packed mud and grass in it each day until I finally decided to keep the rear cockpit cover down and zipped up.

This year, he or she returned. Each time I rolled up the cover, he immediately packed it within 12 hours with mud and other marsh. Thinking I would not let a bird get the best of me, I decided to keep the enclosure down after each trip. Would you know that he now "somehow" sticks mud all over the closed isinglass? Completely useless for a nest but a mess on the boat. Making it more hilarious is that he watches from a close distance as I wash the mud each day. I tried to talk to him (which didn't help my sanity with the neighbors) but he is not giving up.

I love nature but I am at a loss with this bird. I might end up building him a birdhouse with hope that he relocates.

Anyway, hope you all had a great Memorial Weekend.

[WillieC]

That is a great story. This spring we watched four killdeer eggs diminish to two, crows I think, or snakes. I actually found one busted egg and almost formed killdeer still inside out in the yard. I was able to see one of the two poking his shell and coming out into the world, mom and dad having conniption fits with me around. Same day, mom gave up on the other egg and hauled it away with the scraps of the fledgling's shell. They stick around one or two days, keeping junior out of sight, but with patience and lots of time, you will get to see the little ones. They are now in residence on our tideflat and let me know every time I mosey out there.

Sorry about your mess, but you have to admire their tenacity!

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[catalina_mike]

Smiling now. Thank you.

[DesertAlbin736]

Ah nature! Maybe not boat related, but certainly bird related. Spring time is hatchling time for the flocks of Gambel's quail that are abundant in our neighborhood situated near the edge of the desert (which is under assault by relentless urban sprawl). This is Papa Quail standing guard over a mate & brood of 8 or so tiny chicks hidden out of sight under the shrubbery in our front yard to the left in this photo. These birds can fly when threatened but are ground nesters and mostly prefer to stay earth bound and walk around like chickens most of the time. The bushes are real but the grass is artificial.

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[Paddy]

Not his best work and its been raining like crazy lately, but this is the normal mud/marsh that I have been dealing with. Also, kudos to the previous owner for the engine cover caddy...I never shared it with the other owners because I thought it "came with the boat." The previous owner did some great work on this boat, so glad I am the 2nd owner.