Day 3 - 170 -- Living with Nature

Around midday I had to run out to pick up a grocery item. I found the car covered in bird droppings. I've heard more birds in the yard in the past couple of weeks with the result needing me to carry a wet cloth with me when I go to the car each day. Today, I waited until I got home and then took a pail and soapy water to help rectify the problem. I felt somewhat on display as I drove out to the store and back -- the car is a very deep navy so the 'spots' were very visible. <sigh>  I cleaned the doors on one side and then moved to the hood. It became clear very quickly that the droppings were not just from birds, but from the canker worms in a couple of the trees. The sand-like black grit from these icky green critters was stuck all over the hood, roof and any surface that faces up - even just a bit. It all came flooding back to me from the years in Saskatoon and Winnipeg. The former was the worse infestations I'd seen. These things munch away at the leaves to the point that only the leaf veins remain. Tree health can be affected with repeated years of such abuse. The droppings can lightly scratch a windshield when using wipers and washer fluid to be able to see each morning. I've noticed a couple of the critters here over the years, but have seen more this year than usual. It occurred to me that this must be the reason for the increase in bird song in the yard and droppings on the car -- the nasty green things provide a neighbourhood party for all the birds -- all in the branches high above the car. <sigh> I do love nature and want to live in harmony with it, but we may have to get something done with tanglefoot and such to avoid a repeat of this next year.

On an entirely different note, today is the 74th birthday of an icon in the music world. I chose to share a song that could speak to his career. The other song shared today deals with where I am headed next week to deal with what nature has visited upon my car. Enjoy!

Early Days -- Paul McCartney

Car Wash -- Christina Aguellera ft. Missy Elliott