Traumatized!

Yesterday when the kids were napping, I was sitting on the couch reading my book club book and noticed that a black crow was hopping all along the length of our fence outside. I did think it was a little out of the ordinary, but barely gave him a second thought. Then out of the corner of my eye, I see him swoop in under our eves and ATTACK THE BABY BIRDS in their nest!!!

I freaked out! I mean, we've been waiting and watching these little guys for weeks! I feel like they are my babies too! The crow quickly flew away and I watched him perch high in a tree across the street and go to town on his afternoon snack! I stood there in shock. What was I going to tell the girls? Just that morning we had sat outside and watched the Mommy feed all their open, chirping mouths. Maybe I wouldn't have to tell them....the crow couldn't have gotten all four little birds, right?

I got out the ladder and climbed up to examine the damage. There were still two babies peacefully sleeping away. "Oh you lucky little birds," I thought! "Where is your Mommy?!" I went back inside and Megan was awake. She asked why I was up looking at the nest.

Right in the middle of telling her the story - THE FREAKIN' CROW CAME BACK! I screamed so loud I woke the other kids in the house! Again - we watched him fly away to a telephone wire above our backyard and begin feasting on the little wiggling babies he was clutching in his feet.

Both girls stared up in disbelief. So I started to explain to them what had happened and why the crow would do such a thing in the simplest way possible. There was a definite anger and sadness in my voice however. By this time Matt was home from work. He chimed in - "Oh Erin, that's nature. The girls know. Everybody has to eat. It's Survival of the Fittest."

I scowled at him. HUMOR ME, please! My babies just got eaten by a crow!! I don't want your "Circle of Life" lecture! Megan and Molly seemed perfectly okay with this explanation however. They went about playing only stopping to ask if the Mommy Bird would lay more eggs in a couple of days.

Sadly girls, I don't think so. She's been back to the empty nest a few times since yesterday. But each time she quickly flies away. Sweet Mommy Bird, I feel your pain. The Circle of Life sucks!