Man, it's a tough real estate market out there! Not only has housing gone up so much in this area that we can no longer afford to buy the house we live in, it's even tough for birds!

The Hub put up a bird house that we had up last year. It got knocked over by the wind this winter, but it had been occupied last year by house sparrows. We used to joke that the Papa Sparrow, who sat out on the roof of the thing looking like he needed a smoke was Tevye from "Fiddler on the Roof".

But his life couldn't have been all bad....

because he came back. I really do believe he is the same one. But as soon as that house went up there was competition! He must have had to fight off at least 5 serious contenders!

Just think, if you're human you only have to apply for a mortgage, but you don't usually risk somebody putting your eye out. A stroke, maybe, but it's not a beak and claw fight.

Of course, if you're a bird, this IS a really prime location. Who knew it was the same for birds as people: location, location, location. But this has it all. It's at the top of a non-cat climbable pole sheltered by the neighbor's pine tree. Short flight to seeds ( on our porch) and swimming (our bird bath and pond) Tons of insects to occupy the little ones!

Anyway, I can see that he has his mate in there and she has them doing all kinds of home improvements....which reminds me that I want to redo the upstairs bedroom so I have some place to "get away from it all" ( yeah -right)

I may as well just go sit up on the roof.