What To Expect When You're NOT Expecting...

What's better than waking up to the sun shining and the birds chirping outside your window? How about the sun shining and a bird MOANING?! Let me explain. Bright and early this morning, I woke up to a very strange bird (looked sort of like a pigeon) making a very loud, moaning sound?! I assumed this poor bird was hurt or singing a sad love song?! I ran downstairs to see such a beautiful thing! It was a mother bird building her nest in our little tree (the one with the christmas lights) that we have on the balcony! The father bird sat just above her on the overhang. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos but as soon as I went to get a closer look, they both took  off! They returned a short time later where the moaning continued for HOURS, along with her ruffling her feathers constantly.  After running some errands, I see that they have vanished again but I hope they do return (probably with more nesting material) so I can see her give birth!! It's so adorable and makes me wonder how they know these things! Pregnant couples go through this same "nesting" process of preparing the nursery, buying diapers and researching all about babies but these birds do it all on their own! No doctors, no parents...they just know when it's time and have no "What to Expect Book" to help them prepare. It's really so amazing to me!! I wasn't expecting to find this this morning and I am so glad her moaning woke me up!! 

Welcome to the Santa Monica Maternity Ward for Pigeons I guess. Looking at the nest.. it does look rather cozy! 

Mom-to-be Pigeon: "A little privacy here? Damn paparazzi."

I love babies (even baby pigeons) so that is the only reason I am not pissed about her attempting to NEST in my GARDEN?! My poor Green Onions took a real beating this morning.

This Daddy Bird kept guard the whole time. Everywhere she went, he went nearby and just watched. It was very sweet.

This is the nest she has begun to build in our tree. It's really just so amazing when you think about it! I'm so excited for babies (birdies will have to do for now) so at least now I can read bed time stories to someone!?!

She has returned. But I think she is still just preparing the nest... I will keep you posted on her activity. For now, I will be a silent maternity nursing assistant! Very close to my dream job!!

 Stay Tuned for Bird Babies! Fingers crossed she comes back. Wouldn't that be so wonderful for Mother's Day!!! How sweet!