This is a female Antillean Bull Finch.
She’s merely adding her flourishes to an already existing nest, which was just laboriously completed and inhabited by a completely different breed of bird: the Bananaquit– our territories’ official bird, below.
Bananaquit photo courtesy of Judy Wolfe– thanks, Judy.
I watched this bird build its’ nest, one unidentifiable strand at a time, weaving thin threads with its’ beak ( try tying shoelaces with one hand…) and repeating this for days until the beginnings of a nest started to form.
Hundreds of flights, arranging strands with the precision of an atelier dressmaker, fashioning an entry opening in the bottom of the nest so she can fly under, up and in her home. Safe from predators.
Other aggressors that would want what she worked so long to have.
She settled in, both she and the male taking turns with the finishing touches. Having finished to their satisfaction, they left to find food.
They came back and found the little lady in the top photo, busy re-arranging, modifying, usurping their rights, deciding that she knew what was best for herself and her own family rights and the hell with the others.
Now homeless, the bananaquits have to start this laborious process all over again.
I guess this makes the female bullfinch the official hostile home takeover agent.
Better keep your eye on that other female takeover agent. Seems to be a portent of a parallel of reality.
Thought your home was yours, your rights protected or that you mattered? A lot of bull in that finch.
No art to post- politics is enough to make your blood boil and your hands shake.
Tags: antlillean bull finch, banaquit, bird nesting anomolies, extreme home takeover, losing a home, political commentary
Asheville: The North West of The South East 
September 17, 2008 at 3:33 am |
Nauseous? I’m missing something. But I love the political commentary tag.
September 17, 2008 at 9:23 am |
I’ve seen real estate agents less scary and decisive than this bird…
September 17, 2008 at 11:04 am |
Eminent domain is another term for the bullying tactics used all over this world by the powerful against the powerless. Nice post but I HATE bullies.
September 17, 2008 at 7:30 pm |
Nancy-nauseous from dirty politics…
September 17, 2008 at 8:37 pm |
…even paradise has its aggressors. Having lived with a female sociopath next door, it is often survival that ensures our ability to outlast. That, and art as salvation for the soul. Think of the lovely bananaquits as artists who are always capable of beginning again because they have art and they don’t look back.
Of course, we must live in a more complex world and fight the bullies amongst us today. The story isn’t over yet–let’s hope.
September 17, 2008 at 11:21 pm |
Bonnie girl, your bird story…your take on it…? More than nausea, hands shaking, there’s a whiff of despair here, no? Here is some anti-nausea medicine: Some of the polls I saw today indicate that this financial crisis, so palpable on the mainland may I assure you, is working against the party in power.
That doesn’t insure anything except that 24/7 huge media attention is going on real things and not on the stupid lipstick type diversion tricks of campaign politics.
At least we are talking about real things.
I’m sending you something tomorrow to make you laugh!
September 18, 2008 at 12:00 am |
Well, that’s just plain rude of that Bull Finch.
How dare she impose herself on a peaceful race, I mean species. And to single-mindedly make changes without the unanimous consent of the affected. She’ll probably impose new rules on the Bananaquits not to mention unrealistic demands in the way of financial burdens, I mean, steal their food and…
sorry, I felt a correlation coming on!
September 18, 2008 at 2:09 am |
wow, sounds as bad as trying to get an apt. in the city!
September 18, 2008 at 1:32 pm |
Melinda- thanks for your upbeat take on the artistry of new beginnings. One of the best things about blogging is the way in which we hold up mirrors of optimism to each other.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
I’ve been to your site too, and love your art.
September 18, 2008 at 1:35 pm |
Pat- like a headache, the day after seems to look better.
As I sat at the desk this morning- two little grassquits ( tiny, finches the size of canaries ) flew to the glass slats in my window – about two feet from my face. Never happened before.
I thought YOU sent them. Thanks!
September 18, 2008 at 1:37 pm |
Sharon- so you too felt the correlation and parallel.
Keep the faith baby.
Time to bring that saying back.
September 18, 2008 at 3:01 pm |
Beautiful bird.
A rather dim bird smashed head-long into our den window this morning, sadly breaking his neck.
September 19, 2008 at 3:34 am |
It’s funny how many of us long to lead more natural lives. True nature is quite harsh. The strong just take what they want and the weak suffer what they must.
The whole human construct of civility is a fine thing. The trouble is, that there are so many people who want to act in a “natural” way.
September 20, 2008 at 2:10 pm |
Razz- you’ve very succinctly summed up our human condition.
The harshness of the natural world often makes watching nature programs difficult to see. Even though I understand it.
Thanks for adding your wisdom to this post.
September 22, 2008 at 7:33 pm |
Great analogies, Bonnie. Did you see lipstick on that Bull Finch?
September 22, 2008 at 7:41 pm |
Terry- in fact I did, and she later took off with the Windbag Thrasher!
September 23, 2008 at 1:21 pm |
LOL!!!
September 24, 2008 at 1:48 pm |
I like the piece.
Can you get those bull finches to charge a little red cape?
September 25, 2008 at 12:57 am |
Bill- I’d imagine you’d like the undertones of this post.
Those little bull finches want to charge us with a whole lot of stuff……