The Return of the Magpie
We were having an ordinary day, I was working on an art project and my husband was in and out with some framing jobs. He frames my art. It was raining lightly and no one was on the lake, just a lovely quiet summer day in Alaska.
Suddenly, my husband caught sight of a movement at the swallow nesting box. It was the magpie! It had quickly swooped down and landed on the nest box and was peering inside. The silence was broken by shouting and screaming, my husbands voice shattering the quiet as he ran outside toward the magpie. The bird was startled by such a racket and flew away.
We wondered if the magpie was able to reach the eggs, or if the swallow was inside the box and fought back or was killed. Nothing happened for quite awhile. Later, a swallow flew in from above and looked inside for quite awhile, then flew away. We were quite sure that he had witnessed carnage in the nest and left forever. I kept repeating the mantra; “It’s the balance of nature”. An hour passed and the doggone magpie returned and poked his head inside again, followed by my husband’s screaming and yelling. Nothing happened for quite awhile until we noticed a swallow peeking out of the next box from inside.
Today the swallow is still peeking out of the next box and no sign of the magpie. We don’t know if the nest is still full of eggs, or what is happening. We will wait and watch again to see what unfolds. It is indeed the balance of nature, and what will be will be. We are privileged to be a part of this small drama.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
