Red Robin

I sat cross legged on the sun baked wood of my deck. The late October afternoon was still warm enough to be comfortable in yoga pants and a t-shirt. I sipped a glass of sparkling water and enjoyed the silence of the neighborhood broken only by the cluck of my chickens and the distant sound of children playing. The kids were at Chad's and I had the evening free ahead of me. I took a deep breath and relaxed. I turned my head at the flutter of wings.

The red breasted robin sat on my fence, tipping his head curiously. Another flutter brought his brothers until four robins sat in a row on the wooden planks.

I thought about grabbing my camera but didn't want to disturb the curious birds. I admired their brightly colored feathers with a smile.

I should get some bird seed. Maybe build a bird house. The kids love watching birds and they're so beautiful.

Two more joined the line on the fence.

Maybe a bird bath, something they could splash about in. I think I saw something on Pinterest with a mason jar and terra cotta pot. Or was that a bird feeder?

One flew away while another jumped to the grass beneath the apple tree.

I can just picture how excited the kids will be with these guys hanging about. Maybe we can build a couple bird houses and put the bird bath in the fairy garden. Which means we actually need to finish the fairy garden. And start it.

Three fluttered into the pine tree.

I bet there's a nest up there. I wonder what happened to the doves who used to be in the pine? The birds just seem to make the garden come to life. 

A butterfly flitted by as the birds flew from the fence with a rapid flutter.

I wonder if they're on their way south for the winter. Or is this south?

I took a sip of water and watched them start to land again, pecking at the ground.

In my garden.

My freshly planted, freshly seeded garden.

Son of a beach.

"Get out of my garden, you jerks!" I jumped from my sitting position and ran to the beds shoo-ing the birds as I went.

Maybe I should get a scarecrow. 

And bird netting.