Protective Parents

 The Scrub Jays who harrassed Fritter, the buff boy cat from the apartments, under the Butterfly Bush, had babies out of the nest and on the ground. 

I had just figured they had a near nest to the Butterfly Bush, but when I made that video, they were already on the ground in my neighbors yard.  Fledgings, who can take up to two weeks to become good fliers once kicked out of the nest.

They were born in the fir tree growing in the yard of the house behind me.

The two hopped around my neighbors yard a few days, cowering in a corner of their patio at night.  Then one made it into my yard by going under the fence and hid out in the woodpile at the back.   By evening the one in my yard was up a small sapling about two feet and mom or dad was feeding him or her seed from my feeder.  They'd go to my neighbors yard to feed the other little baby too, all the while screeching if we even looked at them.

I locked one of the neighbor cats in my garage for the night.  She's the best hunter of the four they have. Their Siamese boy is cross eyed and lazy.  Their calico is old.  I told them I was going to do it and they didn't mind.  Just until the babies are flying.  They told me last night when I asked if maybe they could keep their cats in til the babies are good fliers, that their black tux has been missing at least a week.   Neither has Fritter, from the apartments, been seen for a few days.  But that may have more to do with the roofers at the other neighbors four days last week.  And their stuff is still up on her roof so they'll be back today.  I'm not looking forward to more constant pounding.  Last week it nearly drove me nuts.

Our weather turned gray and dreary end of last week.  This morning there is snow at Timberline Lodge near Mt. Hood.  Two inches I hear, so far.  They're calling it Junuary.  Lol.  

My Lebanon friend is finally getting her bad knee replaced today.  I'm so happy for her.  She's been in ever increasing pain from it.  It's very swollen too.   She used to be quite active, even a snow skiier.  She hopes to be able to get back to an active life and I'm hoping she can.    My brother, whose knee was replaced six weeks ago, is doing fine with it.  He went back to work after two weeks and never used a cane or walker.  He still has pain though daily from it.  Can take awhile for that to subside he was told.