My Baby Blues

Bluebirds

 Life is fragile. Sometimes, I think we can take it for granted and forget that the little souls besides our own, are precious. It would be the second time a bird couple would nest in the birdhouse placed in our backyard. Finally, after a year in the waiting...an Eastern Bluebird couple would make it their nesting home. 

Looking for Lessons

What a time to witness precious life! The pandemic had just begun, and most were strictly advised to stay at home. In the month of May, life unexpectedly began to unfold in my backyard. I have always enjoyed birds. It wasn’t until this time that my love for them would truly grow. What would I see? What lessons would I learn? “Lift your eyes to heaven and see. Who has created these things?” (Isaiah 40:26) I wanted to make use of these moments to come to learn whatever my Creator wanted to teach me. This is where my love for birds and “Birding Journey” begins...with small baby Bluebirds. 

The Lesson of Empathy

The sun was emitting record-high temperatures and I had a nagging feeling to check on Aurora’s eggs. I had named the mama Bluebird “Aurora.” Sure enough, one baby had died due to the heat. While baby birds need high heat to be incubated and during their hatchling phase, this day was too hot for them. It would be only a matter of time till they would be lost. My husband looked at me and said, “You’ve done this before. You can do this. They need it.” Facilities were closed so we decided to take the three little birds in. Soon after, it was plain to see the runt of the three was very weak, fidgety and clearly unwell. The Wildlife Center was closed and no longer taking calls until the next morning. The next morning, I was awoken with the sight of his frail little body with no more life. I had to bury him; I just had to. When the last bit of dirt covered over him, the tears flowed. “It is just a bird! But it hurts so badly...”, I cried. The lesson? I became the figurative parent of this little one. While not every person needs to cry for a little animal, we do need to remember that life is fragile and precious. Seeing the little one struggle for life taught me and reminded me of the pain mothers and fathers must feel to see their child sick and unable to heal. I knew this lesson all too well. It’s one that my mother knows. Through this seemingly tiny being, I had learned a lesson of empathy. 

Realizations

I now had two healthy babies to look after. This was something I had done before and knew well. From previous experience and hours of research, I was ready to take on two babies. They had fallen right into my hands. Hence, I chose to steal time with them and looked after them myself. Since most places were on “lockdown” and we couldn’t leave home, I chose to keep them with me. I knew the responsibility and heavy load it would be to feed and train these babies to be released into nature where they belong. They would need consistency. 

River & Sarah

Early mornings were filled with begging young birds waiting to be fed. Ruffled and scraggly feathers started to come in and in time, I saw one would be a male and another, a female. What lead me to this conclusion was that one bird had subdued coloring, this would be the female. The other bird had considerably more blue feathers. I chose to name the male, “River” and the female, “Sarah.” River and Sarah loved to hear me whistle and sing them to sleep when the sun sank. River was the first to get brave and hop around when he had the strength. It was in no time that he began to flap his wings which gradually gave him confidence. Sarah’s feet grip started to improve and soon after, she began to flap her wings. Sarah was inquisitive to whatever I was doing and would intently watch me. “Do you know little one how much you fascinate me?”, I said within myself. How could I not be fascinated? 

Growing Up

As their feathers started to come in more and more, they began to preen and groom. River and Sarah had gotten old enough to learn about water. I placed a small dish filled with some water and put them near the “bird bath.” Sarah was surprisingly the first to begin splashing and playing with the water. River was intimidated and afraid to give it a try. Then unexpectedly, Sarah jumped onto the back of River to push him in the water! Such a funny moment to witness. These creatures, though small they may be...they have so much personality. 

The Lesson of Humility

River and Sarah began to get the hang of flying. Little by little, their confidence grew. It would be time for them to be released very soon. Unexpectedly, Sarah’s leg was a bit weak, she began to stay perched rather than flying. Her one leg was a bit weak. I knew I couldn’t figure out what was causing it. In that moment, my humility needed to kick in. Who would know better than the ones who work hard at the Wildlife Center? I looked online to find they were not accepting walk-ins and there was no guarantee. After hours they were not taking calls but would possibly reach me by phone if I sent a detailed email. Soon after, I spoke to a kind woman from the center and was given the go-ahead to bring them in the next morning. It was a bittersweet moment. I knew this was better for them. I knew that especially Sarah needed professional assistance. My heart was broken. These were my babies. I had invested so much time, sleepless nights, early mornings and tender care to give them what they needed. Now they would be gone without me to witness their release. I cried and cried so much I thought I couldn’t breathe. 

The Lesson of Self-Sacrifice

The next morning, I took them in and left them in the capable hands of the Wildlife Center. Though painful, I was relieved knowing that their release would be successful. The lesson? Self-sacrifice. Parenthood is a lifetime of self-sacrifice if done the right way. Sometimes we must make difficult choices to make sure our children are safe and grow up happy. We spend many sleepless nights worried about them, who they will become. We strive to make ourselves available at every possible moment when they need us even when we’re tired. At times, we cannot control everything. We work hard to make sure our babies are protected. The harsh reality is we cannot control what happens when we aren’t around. Others may cause still them pain or they may bring pain to themselves by the decisions they make. We sacrifice all who we are for their happiness alone. Our hearts will break when we must release them into the cruel world outside. But we can smile inside knowing we loved them with every fiber of our existence.

"Baby Blues"

Weeks later, I received an email from the Wildlife Center sharing with me the wonderful news that River and Sarah were released successfully. I would miss the moments when they would sit perched together watching me intently, Sarah gazing into my eyes longingly. It was as if she was looking into my soul when she gazed at me. River would nuzzle himself into my hands to feel the warmth and protection. Did they know how much I loved them? Did they know they gave me “the blues” when I had to let them go? I will always remember what they taught me. They will forever be my “Baby Blues” in the summer months of 2020. 

“Tell us…tell us what you see, soaring high above humanity.” -  “Birdsong” by Kina Grannis

* If you have found an injured or abandoned wild bird, please contact your local Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for assistance and guidance.