In Keith’s words.
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The photo.
Now What? by John W. Howell © 2021
“Well, you’ve done a fine job.”
“Why, thank you. You mean that, or are you just saying it?”
“No, I mean it. Of course, I think it’s time you stop.”
“Why?”
“Here you are. You’ve almost circled this entire tree. I just think it is time to stop.”
“You think this nest is okay then?”
“I would say you have built the finest nest South of the equator.”
“You mean that?”
“Of course I do.”
“This brings up a problem, you know.”
“What’s that?”
“What do I do next?”
“Oh. I think I can help you with that?”
“Oh yeah? You have an idea?”
“Now that the nest is finished, we can start a family.”
“That sounds like the logical next step, I think.”
“You agree then?”
“I can see the future.”
“Which is.”
“An addition to accommodate the new family members.”
“You know most Social Weavers take a break from building.”
“Lazy Social Weavers*, I would say.”
“Shall we go in?”
“I never thought you would ask.”
*Social Weavers are birds that build huge nests in Africa. They live in colonies so my story has taken a little bit of license with a single family view.
Fiction Favorites 
Guess it depends on the definition of a single family. Some cultures include extended family in there.
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So true. This is a couple. Bird and bird. 😁
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It’s not unusual for other species to inhabit Sociable Weavers’ nests as well as around a hundred pairs of birds. According to reports, the Cape Cobra is a regular predator of nests (Boomslangs also have a go occasionally) accounting for losses of 70% or more of the eggs and chicks. Pygmy Falcons also use the nests and are not above helping themselves to the odd weaver chick on lean days. (https://www.arkinspace.com/2018/09/the-spectacular-nests-of-sociable-weaver.html). The nests are large and heavy and sometimes have to be cleared from structures like electricity poles which they can bring down!
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Thank you, Keith for the naturalist view of the prompt. 😁
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🙂
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Interesting! I’d not heard of Social Weavers before.
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I think if we lived in Africa we would have. Thanks, Liz. 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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😁
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And here I thought I knew a lot about birds.
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Hahaha. New one to me as well, Jill. Thanks. 😁
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THAT is quite a nest!! lol
Mine reaction was: “I’m glad you finally got the hang of operating the backhoe, Carl, but I don’t think the livestock can reach it up there.”
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Hahahaha.I like that one. 😁
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I’m glad!! lol
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😂
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Ahhh, a sweet and educational post. The best kind! I’ll be thinking about those industrious Social Weavers all day. 😊
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Kieth added a little more to their story. Thanks, Gwen.
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Seems like I’ve heard similar comments from my nest mate. I give the builder some credit. He’s done a fine job.
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Yes he has. He is a stand-in symbol for all of the home improvement types out there. Thanks, Dan.
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That is one industrious social weaver! I’d never heard of this bird before. Entertaining and educational, John!
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Thank you, Mae. Keith tends to force the educational.
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Perhaps a theater room to accommodate the kids while they quarantine.
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That would be good. 😁
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Most excellent post, John! I could picture these weaver birds having this exact conversation. We wives tend to notice when our men get a bit OCD about their projects, you know. 😀 Thanks for the laughs! 😀
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Thank you for letting me know you liked it, Marcia. 😁
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Straight away I thought this story was going to remind me of the ice cream sundae days & my children. That’s enough sprinkles…🤣
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Yes, quite enough sprinkles and no we can’t eat at McDonalds for every meal.
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Exactly!
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Fun days.
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You shine, I opine!
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Hahaha. Good one, Billy Ray. 😂
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That is pretty cool they work together to build a colony.
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Yes ndeed. Pretty cool.
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Amazing! That definitely qualifies as a large nest. Thanks for the educational post today, John! And I loved the POV.
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thank you, Jan. You are so nice to let me know. 😁
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I like this, thank you.
I might try. I just wrote something I thought was funny. Then I read it, and it didn’t seem funny. The pic is funny.
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.You never know what readers find funny. 😁
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That is amazing, John, and a bird species new to me, too. Great education and entertainment. 🙂
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Thank you Lauren. 😁
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I’ve heard of McMansions but this is a McNest!
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Love that, Pilgrim.
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🙂
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Wowza, that’s a nest! I’ve never heard of the Social Weaver they sound very interesting.
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I thought so too. I had to look them up.
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I am going to!
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😁
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Yowza! That is cray-cray! Gotta love nature, though…
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Of course you do. Thanks, Dale. 😁
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Well done, John!
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Very good, John. Weavers do have huge colonies and they strip all the plants bare with their nest building.
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Sounds like a pain. Thanks, Robbie.
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