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Project Noah Nature School
Hi Ava T-B
I found the animal architecture mission and saw some awesome, very inspirational spottings. But I am having trouble finding a way to add this spotting to the mission. I presume I am missing a link or something. Maybe you can help?
Just wanted to let ya'll know that aforementioned plug for Project Noah (along with more about these eggs) is now up at my blog https://www.doncudd.com/2020/04/01/and-n.... I'll be posting updates on that site as this little story progresses. Pulling for these guys!
Thanks for the encouraging replies, everyone! As you see, I am only just now discovering Project Noah, but am excited about its potential among my many neighbors and family. I am an on-again, off-again blogger/freelance writer who's "day job" is now on hold, so, starting this week, I am back to blogging/writing A LOT (again), and I am about to start posting regular updates on this nest as my wife and I nervously follow the saga of these future babies. I will certainly be plugging Project Noah in these updates and encouraging others in my little city to contribute their own spottings, especially during this time when there is PLENTY of gardening and such going on around town. (Sweeny is, basically, a few city blocks carved out in the middle of a fairly dense forest. We are SURROUNDED by all sorts of interesting wildlife, and it creeps into our lawns daily. Plus many folks end up venturing out in to the wildlife daily themselves -- we probably have a higher-than-average per capita number of foragers living around here. Yes, I know at least two or three families who gather the bulk of everything they eat from the forest land around their homes. It's a wonder our local grocery store stays in business. Ha!)
I say my wife and I are "nervously" watching the nest because, by the time I discovered the nest, I'd already trimmed the Sago Palm very far back. The nest HAD been very well hidden and secure from the many cats, squirrels, possoms, racoons, etc that hang out around that bush. But now it is very exposed, and, in fact, I have chased several lip-licking cats away over the past few days. I am not sure they have actually spotted the nest yet, but I am pretty sure they have smelled it. Given all this, I consider it a minor miracle that the mother continues to return to the nest -- despite being spooked away every time we open our front door, no matter how gingerly. And, I will consider it an even greater miracle if the babies actually hatch and then make it out of the nest. By what I read, all of that drama should be kicking into high gear pretty much any day, and, while I don't know if I'm reading God right on this, I do believe I I sense Him telling me the babies are going to end up flying away happy and healthy. And, if that happens, it will certainly be an inspiration for us all! As I say, my wife and I are nervous nevertheless. Ha.) Ya'll please consider checking out my blog at www.doncudd.com and adding your own plugs for Project Noah in the comment boxes on the posts I'll be making about this nest. (The first one went up last night. It was just a "teaser," in which I said that I discovered "something" in my Sago Palm, but left it for commenters to guess what for a day or so. I'll be posting pics, along with a mention of Project Noah and some of the awesome, inspirational, things I've learned about mockingbirds, later today.)
Two things that I could use some ideas about from some more experienced-and-educated folks:
1. Last night, I peaked into the nest and was sad to discover that we are down to just two eggs again. What might have happened to the other egg?
2. I have a better-than-average "point-n-shoot" camera. It has a 65X optical zoom, but that's a far cry from what I need to get close enough to see inside the nest while momma is there. (And I still have a lot of trouble getting non-grainy shots with the optical zoom extended all the way.) And, unfortunately, -- especially during these trying financial times -- I have no extra cash to invest in a camera upgrade. Anyone have any tips on how my wife and I can maybe get closer to the nest as we try to document the drama?
