Not to be confused with Purple Martians

No, that's not what you're seeing (but, I'm sure you already knew that). These are Purple Martins, in their little house, high in the sky overlooking my garden. I gave this Martin house to my husband for Valentine's day several years ago, and I only wish all presents could be used and appreciated as much as this one has been. We have been told that many people put up their Martin house and then wait years for Martins to move in, but somehow, we got lucky and they came within weeks of installation. We mark on the calendar each year when the scouts appear and then when the rest of the birds show up. Their timing is remarkable. They fly all the way from South America and arrive within just a few days of the years before. Apparently, the same families return, year after year, to the place of their birth and as new babies are hatched, the cycle continues. The Martins are very entertaining to watch and knowing they are keeping the bug population down is definitely a plus. They love it when we are mowing the fields close to their house because it stirs up the bugs and provides a meal for them. They circle around us, chattering and chirping all the while. Whenever I'm working in the garden, they are there to keep me company. They are some of the few creatures here on the farm who ask nothing from us but a cozy house. I suppose all this makes us sound like a couple of old folks out watching the birds. Oh well, so be it.