Empty nest

Deep within the tangled vines of the coral honeysuckle, I found this little nest. I don't know what birds built it, or when, or if eggs were ever laid here. Its engineering is amazing. It is woven so securely onto the vines so that no wind could topple it. It is made primarily of the finest of twigs, but with bits of string added here and there, and surprisingly, part of a plastic grocery store bag is woven into it. The center of the nest is filled with soft brown leaves.

Words and photos © 2009-2011 Caroline Homer for "The Shovel-Ready Garden". Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.