Two years ago, I had installed a wire basket on my patio to hold a wi-fi mesh pod for extending internet reach. It looked nice and worked great. I could roam around anywhere in my garden and stay connected.

In Wisconsin, where I live, winters are long. Every year we look forward to the end of winter in March and beginning of spring. We can come out on the patio, breathe fresh air, feel soothing warmth of the morning sun, watch grass grow, see flowers bloom, and hear birds sing.

One morning in early May, I noticed a few twigs hanging from my Wi-Fi basket. Next day, there were some more. We soon realized that a finch has discovered the basket and decided to build a nest in it. We started watching her progress every day. Finch parents work together to setup nests. It is a small bird and so are their nests. They can put 3-4 eggs in one.

I was curious to know what happens inside the nest. I figured out a way. I stood on the edge of patio door from where I could raise my iPhone selfie camera and position it above the nest. It worked. I could see in there.

I googled to search for birds nesting and hatching process. There was plenty of information. Males and females work together to create nest. Then female lays eggs and incubates them. Male obtains food for the young who fly in 14-16 days.

For the first couple of days, there was nothing in our bird’s nest. Then eggs appeared on the 4th day. I did not look inside for several days as mama was sitting on eggs all the time. Papa bird was also hanging close by.

A few days later, mama started flying around. I suspected something has changed inside. I saw an opportunity one day and looked. Eggs had hatched and there were three tiny babies inside. I could make out yellow beaks and some feathers. We were wondering how long it will be before they get big enough and fly away.

Then, one day, tragedy happened. A Blue Jay had discovered the finch nest. Blue jays are known for raiding nests.

My neighbor saw him first and called me to tell that a blue jay is lurking and may attack the nest. I tried to put a protective screen around it, but could not do it. There was no way to attach it without disturbing nest. So, we just sat on the patio to keep an eye on the predator. But we couldn’t do it forever.

Blue jay waited patiently. After we left patio, he attacked the nest. He grabbed one baby and took it away. Other two were also wounded and lying in there. I was horrified and really upset. I took the nest down and buried it. Mama bird came and sat on a branch close by. She kept staring where the nest was and cried for the longest time. She kept coming for 2-3 days, looking for her nest. Her wailing was really disturbing. Then, she was gone.

I myself could not sleep for several days. I felt helpless and frustrated that I couldn’t save the babies. It reminded me of the time almost nine years ago when I had to let my beloved cat, Princess, go. She was eighteen years old, and the time had come for her.

My neighbor tried to comfort me. He has been a farmer and has seen it all. He said, “Anil, this is the circle of life. That’s the way it goes. Move on.” And so I did.

But this is not the end of story, only a brief pause, then continuation.

After the tragic finch nest incident, I covered Wi-Fi basket with a flat top so that birds couldn’t get in it.

Therefore, I was surprised a few days later to see twigs dangling again from the top of my Wi-Fi basket! What is going on, I wondered. The basket was completely sealed with the flat top.

It seems, a Robin had this time discovered this spot and liked it to build her nest. Robin is a bigger bird than a Finch. Their nests are constructed different as well. They need to be sturdier to accommodate more weight. Robins add mud to their nests along with twigs to make them stronger. Also, they build their nests on a flat surface. Obviously, she liked this spot.

Once again, I started my daily watch to monitor the new nest’s progress. In a way, it was redemption – a second chance. It took Robin 3-4 days to build the nest. It was almost five inches high and four inches in diameter.

I googled to check Robins’ nest building process. I discovered that Robins build

nest in 3-4 days and then lay 3 to 4 eggs in it over a period of 4-8 days. I waited. I did not want to peak in too early, and wanted to be extremely careful in doing so.

About a week later, I positioned my iPhone selfie camera on top of the nest. I saw two beautiful blue eggs – the famous Robin’s Blue. The feeling is hard to describe, a combination of serenity, peace, and joy.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could live our entire lives feeling that way? I suppose it is possible if we really want to and can stay away from temptations and desires the world lures us into.

You must be wondering what happened next. Unfortunately, it did not have a happy ending either. One day, Robin just disappeared and didn’t come back. She had abandoned the nest. We don’t know why. Again, google research suggested that sometimes Robins do that, if they think eggs or the environment is not viable. We waited and waited. Finally, we had to take this nest down as well.

There are lessons too in this story. This is the reality of life. We cannot control its flow. It goes, the way it goes. It gives us moments of anticipation, excitement, joy, exhilaration, and heartaches as well at times. We can’t pick and choose. We have to take it all, the way it comes. We should not get too attached to anything. All comes and goes! Live every moment. Find peace in it. Enjoy it. We never know what may happen next.

Good night.