Prospective tenants

Having watched a lot of western movies, I recall there were often scenes where a parched cowboy and his horse were struggling to get through the desert. As he would look toward the horizon, he would see a "mirage." Often it appeared to be like a shimmering pool of water, and he and old "Paint" would forge ahead to this promised relief only to find out it was an illusion.

I opened the paper to an excellent write-up by the local extension agent concerning the impending arrival of the martins, and according to her, the martins had been sighted south of us, making their way back to their summer home after having wintered in Brazil.

Like the thirsting cowboy looking at shimmering water, or maybe it was just wishful thinking, but the other morning there were two birds of undetermined origin that seemed to be checking out my martin house. I realize my eyes are not what they once were, but the birds kept going in each of the openings, coming back out to the landing, and then going into another one.

One could almost picture a room inspection going on, and I am surprised one of them did not have a clipboard as they checked off the suitability of the accommodations. And then, like the mirage in the desert, they left and disappeared into the distance.

For the next five days, they have not appeared.

Only time will tell if the martin house gets occupied and if it passed muster from what might have been martin scouts. For now, I can keep on hoping that I have a chance to be a martin landlord.