Birds Are a Part of Our World!

So about a month ago when my parents were in town they thought it would be nice to leave a fern on the balcony (which I think my dad seriously nailed into the roof). It's a very hearty fern as I never water it, and it spends half it's day in 80 degree straight sunshine. About 3 days after they left I went to water it when the MOTHER OF ALL DIVE BOMBER DOVES came flying out of the fern at my head. That's right. She'd made a nest.



Upon further inspection we discovered that she'd matted down all the leaves and created a snug little home. Well- Adam was not about to be ousted by the dove- so he began persuading it to stop leaving it's not so small and dove-like droppings on our balcony- by squirting it with a squirt bottle filled with water.

It was better than teaching the cat to get off the couch. One squirt and that thing would take flight with a showering of small feathers. She kept at the fern off and on for about a week- (why didn't I just throw the fern away then??) and gave up.

We touted our victory, danced a jig, and proclaimed ourselves mighty rulers of the balcony. Until our trip to Utah.

We just returned to find the dove has again reinserted herself into the fern that will not die. Her nest is now complete with twigs, garbage, and other fine collectibles. Adam again began asserting himself as he quickly tiptoed in to get the squirt bottle. The entire bottle later- and she will not leave. She's soaking wet, and she's got murder in her eyes. I couldn't even send Charlotte outside to play...

Adam's been off all weekend, and has been scouting her position on the balcony. He's determined to outlast her, and she has to fly away eventually. I'm back to plan 1-- can't we just oust the fern when she goes to get food? Then- the blessed moment occurs, and she slips away. Adam leaps up- grabs the chair and voila-- goodbye fern right? no. Hello 2 small eggs. He can't do it. So- who's the master of the balcony now?