Bloggers often wax poetic about the joys of enjoying the peace and quiet while hanging their laundry on the line. They obviously don’t live in my neighborhood. Usually I am serenaded by emergency sirens on nearby major streets, entertained by the neighbors’ outside chatter, excited by the sudden screech of brakes, or calmed by the white noise of a nearby pool motor.
Not this morning. I got started with laundry early, never imagining the damn birds would be so loud as to drown out the delightful sounds of the city. Just because they are itching to mate and nest is no excuse for the cacophony I had to endure while hanging a large load of laundry.
It started with the coo of the mourning dove and chirping of the busy little house sparrows. The incessant twittering of the house finches was not constant enough for pleasant white noise but at least it wasn’t as loud as the curve-billed thrasher’s two-note whistle. The cactus wren scolded me noisily from above while the gila woodpeckers alternated drumming on my metal chimney and laughing about it. The verdins tried to sing sweetly next door but were drowned out by the mockingbird showing off his repertoire for the ladies. And if those white-winged doves ask me “Who cooks for you?” one more time, they are going to be on the menu!
Even Angel looked perturbed as the birds made it impossible to listen for cats trying to sneak into her yard. She couldn’t focus fully on watching for a coyote slipping down the street a little late in the morning. Even now, I can barely concentrate on writing this as the birds continue to chirp, chatter, sing, and drum outside. My yard is not a damn concert hall. Shut up already so I can listen for the police helicopter.
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18 comments:
Shut up already so I can listen for the police helicopter.LOL What a scene.
You know, birds, as pleasant as they can be aren't always a welcome thing.
We have starlings and killdeer in our neighborhood and they have to have some of the most shrill, annoying, blaring calls I have ever heard from the bird. And, nice of them to do this, the killdeer only start their screeching at night. They are really cute birds and they are fun to watch, but their calls hurt my ears.
Brett's dad used to work nights and he almost took a BB gun to the jays that were screeching outside the window.
Don't you just love the noise of the city, what with all the sirens, construction equipment, loud people, music, and cars, what is there not to love? :-)
I find white noise annoying...fans, motors, white noise machines (of all things!) Yuck. I'll take the birds anyday.
Ya'll do realize this was totally tongue-in-cheek, right?!
On the other hand, the woodpeckers drumming on metal structures on rooftops drives many people nuts, especially since they like to do it at dawn. We've seen folks out in their pajamas throwing rocks at them on the roof.
omigosh, chile, this is so funny! LOL I laughed with my coffe cup in my hands.
Woodpeckers on a metal chimney are certainly more than annoying, I've had that happen to me. My cats are on my roof regularly so the birds aren't around up there much.
Mourning doves seems to be going 24 hours a day in my neighborhood lately. And mockingbirds particularly make so much noise and they dive bomb the cats!
thanks for the smiles this morning..
Peace to all,
shamba
new life- new birds. Maybe they will be quieter in your new home. And then you'll miss them and city noises?
EJ
Feel like I already told you this...
When I was growing up, my brother had a pet rooster (we thought it was a hen when we got the chick b/c we wanted free eggs). And that stupid bird would crow outside my window starting at 3AM every f*cking morning!! Yes I tried to kill it by opening the gate seperating my german shepherd and the rooster. Alas, the rooster was too cunning. Thankfully my grandfather took him off our hands a year later and then ate him.
I love the sound of woodpeckers though...
Um.... are you sure you're ready to move to somewhere quieter? I'm assuming you are contemplating the country....;-)
I was talking to my parents on the phone this weekend and they thought we'd gotten a bird - no one loud robin in the apricot tree.
Hey, I should have figured you'd be so cool as to have an xtracycle - no 2 xtracycles!
Thanks for the chuckle today, Chile!
Yeah, I knew you were kidding by the end but I did spend a moment in shock there.
I don't hear enough birds here!! I hear the gardener next door running his yard equipment nonstop. If it isn't a mower it's a blower and if it isn't a blower it's a power washer for the cement.
Ah, but bird noise is not for everyone. Me- I LOVE IT. That's why I have chickens. If I could have a rooster I'd have one of those too.
total quiet freaks me out.
Ah, birds. I love them too, but I really wish the crows would stop pecking at my windows and pooping all over the front porch. And some bird has managed to peck a hole right through my roof such that snow has melted and stained the ceiling. I do love living in the country, no doubt about it, but it comes with unexpected, um, challenges.
My dad used to go outside in the early morning to throw rocks at the birds so he could get back to sleep. I always thought this was the perfect example for how crazy he was, but I guess I can't blame him, really.
Ain't spring great?!
Kate, quite a scene indeed.
Jennifer - I can't stand starlings, but mostly because they are introduced invasive birds. Killdeer, I like, but maybe not in the middle of the night.
Tameson - quiet or nature sounds are definitely better than mechanical white noise!
Shamba - better coffee in your cup than out your nose. ;-)
Mockingbirds can be really annoying when they decide 2 am is a good time to sing.
EJ - we will miss the birds we are so familiar with here but hope to enjoy new birds. We're even taking our binoculars and bird book on our trip. Geeks, huh?!
Beany - I don't recall that story. Why did your grandfather take so long to come get the rooster for dinner?
Verde - I don't know. We may go nuts with the quiet. hehe You know, if you are desperate to learn our destination, you can always email me. (See top of the sidebar for hints on how to get in touch with me.)
Carla - anytime!
Angelina - we had a super noisy neighbor like that in Colorado - always running the leaf blower, lawn mower, or snow blower. Meanwhile, I was using a push mower, rake, and broom.
Theresa - make that bird pay for your property damage! I've heard of birds pecking through eaves and siding, but not the roof. Holy cow!
Carrick - two words for your dad: ear plugs. :)
Sus - yep, it shore is.
Have you heard cardinals?!?! I have. Today. At 6:30 am outside my window.
Their song is CRAZY and if you have heard it, you'll agree with the adjective.
We do get cardinals in Tucson but have only had them in the yard a couple of times. None yesterday, sadly.
Good one! :) Darn serenity - who needs it? ;P
I had a radio fence set up for the dogs (until somebody cut it up, I was burgled twice & no longer have my son's gills or my Wolfie or loving pup) & if the wire was ever broken the control box would bleep at me. We have a bird or several that bleep the same way... Radio fence was 1050m long then (now I'm redoing the whole thing it'll end up 1450m long). The number of times I went out to check that fence!
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