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“Guarding the Nest”, (20x14 in.) $950.00
This mating pair of house finches decided to make a nest in our ceiling porch light during the springs of 1996 and 1997. Most often the finches had always made nests in a nearby spruce tree but for some reason the drabber colored female decided the porch light with a missing glass side would be a better location. It was much safer location from predators for sure but each time we either checked our mail or we had deliveries or visitors came to the front door, the female would fly to the spruce, abandoning the nest for a short time. Then the more brightly colored male would come from his hidden spot in the spruce and screech his whistle-like chirps to let the intruder know that the two of them were guarding the nest. To avoid scorching the nest with the heat from the light bulb and nest abandonments, I finally fixed the missing glass side for the light so the birds could not nest there. Next to the light I put up another nesting cavity about the same size. Since then, the finches have gone back to nesting in the spruce each spring. I really think the female like the heat from the light.

 

Watercolorist

http://GreatLakesArt.org 

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