Love and the Environment

Outside the windows of my residence, I have witnessed this spring of 2026 as being a spring of many memorable oddities, spectacles, wonders, and disasters.

The pair of Canadian geese came back rather early to nest on the edge of our roof garden again.  Mother Goose sat on her nest for way over a month without hatching a single gosling.  This was odd and yet during her time on the nest there were hot days then snowy days and even a little hail on one occasion.

The wild turkeys are amusing with their flamboyant plumage and careful but intentional moves and behaviours during the mating season.  Usually, three birds travel past the dining room window.  Two males strut side by side with their tail feathers fully fanned while following a female sauntering slowly ahead or sometimes dashing out in front. They are huge birds and to see them fly into the trees where they safely roost at night is a sight to behold at sundown.

Every spring I enjoy watching the leaves grow on the trees turning quickly from a green fuzzy appearance to small then large leaves.  But this year was different.  The fluctuating temperatures this spring caused the leaves to grow slowly.

The fact that the leaves grew slowly had a ripple effect on the bird population.  Two robins chose the tree outside my window to build a nest.  Since the leaves took a long time to develop, I was able to watch the amazing architectural achievement right to the depositing of the four tiny blue eggs into the well-built nest.  Then disaster struck.

The disaster I witnessed took place on a cold, rainy, windy spring night when the mother robin was no longer able to protect her eggs from the wind and water and she was forced to abandon the nest.  The pair of robins assessed the damage, cleared out and cleaned up the nest, and proceeded to lay four more eggs as the temperature warmed up and the leaves began to grow larger.  Not long after the rebuilding and repopulating the nest with eggs, we experienced a tornado passing through the south of our city.  Once again, the mother robin had to abandon the nest, and the pair of robins haven’t been seen since.

Living so close to the environment and seeing the effects of changing weather patterns on the bird population has an emotional effect on me.  The obstacles faced by the nesting birds, the courage they demonstrated while protecting their eggs and the helplessness I felt as a silent observer, profoundly moved me.  Is it love?

-Sister Elaine Cole, csj

Images: Hannah Schulte/Unsplash; Elaine Cole

In the Company of Birds

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Psalm 84

Throughout the year a variety of birds spend time in my yard. This past summer I was visited by pairs of Purple Finches, Western Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I was delighted when a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers decided to build their home in a poplar tree close to my back deck. I was able to observe them every day as they tapped for two weeks making a hole for their nest. Before I knew it, the chirping of baby birds could be heard. I watched as the parents took turns bringing food to their young.

As autumn set in, many birds began migrating and the yard was quiet and empty, almost lonely. But soon, as the snow arrived, the winter birds returned. 9 to 12 variety of birds visit the feeders every day. The vibrant colours of the summer flowers are replaced by the warm colours of rose, rust and ruby feathers.

Set against the whiteness of the snow, the male pine grosbeak is resplendent in his rose plumage with silver-grey wings. The Common Redpoll sports a beautiful ruby patch on its head. On a sunny day, it shines like a jewel. Last March the Snow Buntings visited the front deck for almost two weeks. It is difficult to see these little birds up close since they swirl and fly quickly as you come near them. I was able to see the beautiful brown dotted necklace on their breast. What a treat!

Birds have taught me many lessons over the years. Two experiences are very vivid in my memory. The first memory happened in the summer of 1972. I was making a 30 - day retreat prior to my profession of Final Vows. As I was walking on the grounds of the retreat centre, I came upon an adult robin lying on the ground under a tree. At first glance, I thought it was injured. But I could also hear chirping coming from above. I watched in amazement as the mother robin would raise one wing and lower it and then chirp to the young chick on a branch in the tree. The little one would stand, flaps its wings, and then promptly sit down. This went on for several minutes. I presume the chick did eventually fly as I continued my walk.

The second memory is more recent. I was experiencing grief as my sister had recently died quite unexpectedly. A redpoll had hit the front window. The sound of the thump alerted me to look in the snow. The tiny bird was lying there. I went out, picked it up from the snow and cupped its body in my hands. If this happens soon enough, often the bird will recover its breath. For several minutes there was no change. I was thinking that this one had hit the window too hard.  But then, I felt the tiny beat of its heart. It was an incredible moment. Keeping the bird on its side in my cupped hand I soon felt it begin to move its wings. When the fluttering seemed stronger, I opened my hands, and the redpoll flew away.

One of my many visitors

As I reflect, lessons of patience, co-operation, hope, and perseverance come to mind. My heart is filled with gratitude to the Creator for the beauty, variety, and companionship of these feathered friends. I appreciate why Jesus used parables to teach.

The season of Advent has been likened to a nest. A nest provides shelter, comfort, and new life. The last nine months of the COVID-19 virus have been stressful. There has been loss, uncertainty, anxiety, but also opportunities for new ways of seeing and living life. As I prepare my heart this Advent season, my “nest” will be made of the “twigs of my everyday life” for the indwelling of my God.

Blessings in this season of Advent.

-Sister Maggie Beaudette, Hay River, NT