Latest Developments About “Peeps”
I haven’t had any inspiration to write lately and suddenly this new development. You can read about my little “Peeps” in a previous blog. Developments over the past week reveal that my rescued House Wren, Ms. Peeps is really Mr. Peeps.
Since his rehabilitation and subsequent health and perfectly functional legs and wings, he has taken up his residence on two thick cedars that flank my walkway to my townhouse. He pretty much sits on the top all day and then snuggles into the density of the brush as evening falls. He governs the feeders on my upper balcony and has pretty much since his rescue remained Lord of the exterior of my dwelling. He would eat and all the other birds (with the exception of the Hummingbird pair) would scatter, to return once he had flown to the front cedars, and he sat on the cedars day in day out, alone.
When I would go for a walk, he would fly from tree to tree alongside of me, “peeping”, until I reached the end of the complex, at which time, he would sit and wait for my return, “peeping” when I would come back into view, flying alongside of me as I walked through the complex back to my townhouse.
And sadly, I never realized how lonely he must have been. Upon the new development of his life, I began reflecting that perhaps in the world of nature, because he would not have survived in the wild in his disabled condition as a young “chick” the bird world shunned him, and continued to shun him time moving forward, even after he was fully functional and whole. How lonely he must have been these past 4 years.
Now all of that has changed. He has met a beautiful female House Wren.
Mr. Peeps tried for the first 48 hours to persuade her to take up residence in the cedars flanking my walkway, but she being fully wild, really was uncomfortable here. She darted all through the cedars for an entire day, but it was obvious that she did not share Mr. Peeps domestication with humanity. Living in his home residence was just not her thing, she was not comfortable here at all. No matter how much the Hummingbird pair (Holly & Garth) studiously watched her flit through the cedars in search of a branch that was suitable for nest building. Holly and Garth have lived on the apple tree which is located in front of the cedars (maybe a 3 foot distance) for 5 years now. They got right into Mrs. Peeps space and hovered, sharing how much they loved the location, but it was not to be.
When I came home yesterday from my marathon walk, as I approached the grove of forest about a block from home, I heard his familiar “peeping” and pause routine, waiting for my return “peep”. Of course I replied, and the banter between us continued as I walked past the forest grove and started down the last block to my residence, until I was out of his site.
The location of their nest is on the forest border. Our complex is bordered by a wildlife nature reserve and it is about a 1,000 acre protected forest reserve with nature trails throughout. And it is here that Mrs. Peeps has condescended to Mr. Peeps to make their new home. It is about 2 blocks distance from Mr. Peeps “family and birth residence”. And I guess he has been industriously nest building because when he arrives now, it is every 2 hours to eat, he is voracious in appetite, whereas before he only snacked maybe 3 or 4 times a day for very short periods.
I am sure some will find this last bit very silly, but I now know how mothers feel when their sons take wives that do not want to have any assistance or association with their mother, or parents, it quite literally breaks your heart. I miss my little Mr. Peeps, I miss looking out the kitchen window and seeing him sitting on the top of the cedars, and I can only hope and pray that she adores him. He deserves, at the very minimum that.
And I realize now and simplistically understand how selfish a parent/child relationship can become when one or perhaps even both are enduring, but not thriving, and not fully living to their heart passions and potentials. Time to move on and find other avenues to explore. But still providing a smorgasbord for all the feathered community which gather here.
Parents must be able to encourage their children to take wing and fly, explore all the passions of their heart, and yet, remain, open to communication when asked, to help over their hurdles, and ease the pain of explorations perhaps not best suited, and celebrate and enjoy the victories together. We all must realize that once children become adults, even though they are our children, we must allow them to take flight and make life choices of their own and yes, even learn from the rocks forming struggles along the road. Unfortunately a much greater depth is discovered by making their own choices and learning from them, rather than always learning from advice; however much less bruising is the path of followed advice.
walkwithmeandhim 