The ten years before to her first encounter with Kathleen and subsequent marriage to her had been a particularly difficult time for her. During the course of our lives, many of us will probably find ourselves in one of those challenging situations. Kathleen had been “downsized” unexpectedly, had gone through an undesired divorce, had surgery for cancer, and her mother had collapsed from a heart attack. In addition, she was raising two young teens (and sheep) in a large old home in the middle of the countryside. The ups and downs of life’s emotional roller coaster were finally getting to her. On a particular day, Kathleen was returning home after attending a job interview. As she parked into her driveway, she saw a flock of more than two dozen eastern bluebirds living in the shrubbery around her property. During the time when her soul was regaining its power, she halted the vehicle, looked through the window at the birds, and shed tears. Throughout Kathleen’s life, bluebirds have been and will continue to be a “symbol of hope.” This time, they advised her to go with her life and to just carry out the next appropriate action. It was going to be a terrific time. There are three basic varieties of bluebirds; the flock that provided Kathleen with a glimmer of hope was comprised of some eastern bluebirds. From Canada to Mexico and Honduras, eastern bluebirds may be found in a wide variety of locations. They are most often seen east of the Rocky Mountains. Similarly, the western equivalent may be seen west of the Rocky Mountains and can be found all the way from Canada to Mexico. The mountain bluebird is the name given to the third known species. Mountains are home to the mountain bluebird, which may be found in the western region of North America and at heights that are higher than seven thousand feet. When completely mature, all varieties of bluebirds measure around five inches in length. Both the male and the female have breasts that are a reddish-brown color and have plumage that is mostly blue. In most cases, the female bird may be identified by the more subdued colors that she has. When they are first born, the young are not a lovely sight to see. On the other hand, after a few days, they begin to develop feathers and rapidly transform into a charming tiny fluffy butterfly. If there are bluebirds in the area, there is a strong possibility that you will be able to see a nest that is consisting of three to seven hungry youngsters or eggs that are a light blue color. It is possible for them to nest anywhere between two and fifty feet above the ground. They nest in natural hollows in trees, in holes left by woodpeckers, and in birdhouses that have been constructed in more recent times. Open regions with scattered trees, farms, roadsides, woodland clearings, open pine woods, and suburban areas with lawns and suitable nesting sites are some of their preferred habitats. Other habitats include open pine forests. Beginning in the middle to late spring and continuing through the summer months, mating begins. Where they reside has a significant impact on the number of offspring that are born in a given year. The lengthier seasons often have as many as four broods, whereas the shorter, warmer seasons typically have two. If a couple of bluebirds is active, they may have more than twenty young in a single year, which means there are a lot of hungry mouths to feed. A broad range of insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, earthworms, beetles, snails, and even tree frogs or tiny lizards, are among the foods that bluebirds consume in their search for food. It is possible to see them perched on a limb, where they observe the surrounding area and then swiftly descend to the ground in order to pounce on their prey to consume it. Gardeners are thrilled to see bluebirds in their midst. Due to the fact that bluebirds are able to swiftly eliminate insect pests from a garden, they will do all in their power to entice bluebirds and keep them in close proximity. Regrettably, the bluebird is known to have adversaries as well. Young bluebirds in their nests are the target of predators such as snakes, cats, and raccoons. Nesting locations are often taken over by birds such as starlings, crows, and house sparrows, which results in the destruction of eggs and the death of young. Over the course of the last few of decades, the bluebird population has increased as a result of the proliferation of protected birdhouses. It seems as if they are more likely to survive than everyone else. We were forced to migrate to the central region of Massachusetts six years ago as a result of a work advancement. The house that we lived in at the time was a charming and quaint English cottage type property located close to Yale University. Kathleen had a deep affection for our quaint little farmhouse, which included a reflecting pond, gazebo, stone walls, and huge gardens. On the day before we moved, she was sitting quietly on the stairs of the back porch, gazing out over the yard, and a few tears were gently streaming down her cheeks. The next moment, she became aware of a pair of eastern bluebirds flying into the hydrangea bush that was located next to her. The birds began to bounce from branch to branch while chirping in a rhythmic pattern. Once again, her indication of promise. Kathleen was then aware that this approach, despite the fact that it was not accepted, would ultimately be successful. In addition to the fact that it was satisfactory, it also provided us with a tremendous chance once the first year had passed. We bought the property that we had been renting, and now we are living on a lake that is so lovely and pristine that it offers a mesmerizing view that we never get tired of… The quality of living is high. Gregory James is a veteran of the United States Army, a father of six children, and a nature enthusiast who has been a longtime fan of the outdoors. Because of his affinity for the natural world, he has launched a website that sells supplies for camping cookery. The address of his website is http://www.campingcookwarepro.com where you may find it.