Special offer

ActiveRainPhotoBlogger Contest: Of Storms, Power Outage, and a Bird in a Bush

By
Real Estate Agent with Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch!

ActiveRain PhotoBlogger Contest:  Of Storms, Power Outage, and a Bird in a Bush

After a few days of hot weather, we had some pretty heavy thunderstorms in Hernando Beach this afternoon.  The wind was especially strong and came straight in from the Gulf of Mexico occasionally gusting with speeds of up to 70 mph. 

Somewhere, there might have been a power line down because power went out for a while. I guess power outages do have a good side as they bring out the neighbors for a bit.  Everyone wants to know whether it's just them who are without power or if others are affected as well.  You really get to catch up on some other neighborhood news that way as well!

Not knowing when power will be restored, you start adjusting and improvising.  The normal pursuits of our modern lives are suddenly not available.  All those things that we take for granted and that use electricity are out: no TV, Internet (no ActiveRain...), no air conditioning, and of course no cooking. 

A nice thunderstorm also brings with it a drop in temperature so doors and windows can be opened to achieve a nice cross breeze.  We turned on the gas grill and had barbecued chicken with baked beans heated on the gas burner and salad that doesn't need to be heated. 

There are some other leisurely pursuits that you can pursue during a power outage.  Taking a nice afternoon nap is just one of them!  Sitting on the porch with a glass of wine and watching the world dry out is another. 

It was then, that we noticed a pair of Mockingbirds jumping around excitedly and loudly complaining about our presence.  As we watched their frustration at us for a while, we finally saw the cause for the excitement sitting very quietly just a couple of feet from our chairs. 

Baby Mockingbird by Silvia Dukes

Baby Mockingbird apparently had fallen out of the nest during the storm and found shelter in the Lantana that is growing at the corner of the front porch. 

Before leaving him to his parents' care, I took his first baby photo.  After we left, the parents came back quickly and we could hear him squeak every time one of them came to feed him.  Later, we watched from a distance as they coached him into another bush to a higher and hopefully, safe place from the neighborhood cats and other predators.

ActiveRainPhotoBlogger Contest:  Of Storms, Power Outage, and a Bird in a Bush

Posted by

   

 

 For more information about Hernando County Homes and Land for sale including Spring Hill, Brooksville, Weeki Wachee, and the communities of Timber Pines, Glen Lakes Golf and Country Club, Silverthorn, and Hernando Beach , please call or visit my website!

Let me help you find Your Place in the Sun!

 

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate

Tropic Shores Realty, 3441 Deltona Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34606

Phone: 352-584-7441    Email: SilviaDFL@yahoo.com   Website:  www.SilviaDukes.com

 

CIPS      International Real Estate Silvia Dukes    CRS     GREEN Designation     

 At Home with Diversity               

      Women's Council of Realtors      

                             

Copyright (c) Silvia Dukes 2006-2021.  All Rights Reserved. 

Listing and real estate market information is current as of the date it was posted but subject to changes.

All content, including text and photographic images, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A. and may not be used without expressed written permission.   

Comments (43)

Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Silvia - so cute and I love that you took his very first baby picture. I hope you send the mom a copy - lol!

May 15, 2011 10:36 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

So glad that Momma & Papa came to his rescue so quickly.  That was a nasty evening that snuck up on us quickly with the power outages and swirling winds you had also.  Great pic with much attitude showing!

May 15, 2011 01:06 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Kristine, how could I have resisted? lol

Kevin, attitude, that's it!  A little wind like that will not get us down!

May 15, 2011 01:12 PM
Retired Notworking
Tallahassee, FL

that is so adorable. What a great picture. and how fun to see the baby who looks very afraid of you. I'm glad the story had a happy ending.

May 15, 2011 01:47 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Silvia, I guess our Calvin is quite the hunter in getting the baby mocking bird but I'm sure glad that my husband was there to save the baby mocking bird.

May 15, 2011 02:38 PM
Margie Kopp Sorrell
Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee Realty and Lake Country - Greensboro, GA
Lake Oconee Real Estate

The expression, look, whatever on that birds face is absolutely hilarious! Thanks so much for sharing this photo as it handed me a huge, much needed laugh!

May 15, 2011 02:43 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Colleen, I think he was just not happy that I was between him and lunch! lol

Marchel, yes, that was a good thing for the bird!  Next time, better feed the cat! :-)

Margie, you know how it is... at that age, they are all beak!  :-)

May 16, 2011 02:42 AM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Silvia - that is too cute and the little fella looks like he is very upset.  Great Baby picture and is one of my favorites. Sometimes the spontaneous pics are the best :)

May 16, 2011 03:54 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Silvia, you captured a WONDERFUL photo of this mockingbird!    Hope your power was not very long!   Good luck in this contest!

May 16, 2011 04:37 AM
Andre R. Aragon
Greater Tampa Real Estate Photographer - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Photographer

Hi Silvia - That's a great shot! I have a similar one I took a few years ago ,when I came upon a nest on the ground in my yard with a few of these little guys peeping and bopping around it. That little bird was lucky you were there!

May 16, 2011 07:37 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Petra, that is very true!  Thanks for stopping in.

Joan, thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

Andre, yes and he's still there in the bushes in the front yard peeping all the time... I think I'll be happy when he fly! :-)

May 16, 2011 10:10 AM
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

Silvia, Great photo.  I'm glad that you rescued him.  Good luck in the contest.

May 16, 2011 10:34 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Sylvia, great photo. Had a similar experience the other day when one fell out of the nest. Good luck with the entry...

May 16, 2011 12:44 PM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Cute little bird Sylvia, but it has such a sad looking face.  Good Luck!

May 16, 2011 02:44 PM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Sylvia...I just wanted to pick that little thing up and cuddle it.  Guess we need to leave that to Mom and Dad.

Kate

May 16, 2011 03:46 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Hi Gary, thank you!

Michael, it's probably a pretty common occurrence in the bird world...

Al and Peggy, he does look a little frowny, doesn't he?

Kate, they been pretty busy feeding that little guy!

May 17, 2011 12:13 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Silvia,

I love this photo! What a great story about survival! You were there and you shared the moment and told the story well! I applaud you. Birds do so much for the environment; the least we can do, is be there when they need a little help and you played the perfect role!

Thank you! I am so happy to read your story and I hope others feel the same. It's an award winning photo and story, in my opinion.

Patricia

May 19, 2011 07:01 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Patricia, thank you so much!  You are so right, it's amazing how many insects, worms, and also berries these parents bring to this little guy throughout the day. 

Mockingbirds by Silvia Dukes

Time goes by fast in the bird world, just a few days ago he was just a baby, now he's turned into the equivalent of a teenager!  Long legs, a little uncoordinated, practicing to spread his wings, and never in one place!  It won't be long and he'll  be gone for good!

 

May 19, 2011 01:28 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Great photo Silvia!

Jun 19, 2011 07:24 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Thanks Debra! :-)

Jun 19, 2011 11:42 AM