So what’s the deal with the dead tree? * When we bought our house 3 years ago this tree was dying. We tried to nurse it along. But it didn’t make it another year. Something is killing the oaks in my neighborhood. We’ve had to take down 4. But I’ve refused to cut this one down. * And I’m so glad I haven’t. This year it became the Home to 4 sets of American Blue Birds, 2 pairs of American King Birds, and a Food resource for the several woodpeckers, flickers, and sap suckers native to the eastern shore. AND, our resident pair of osprey pruned it this year to do some home improvements on their nest. Their twin fledglings have used it as a perch for working on flying and fishing. And, in the winter the bald eagles use it as a place to eat their catches - they are some of the largest birds around here. The tiniest use it too, a male ruby throated hummingbird used it as a lookout to patrol his territory. * So, until it falls where it stands, it is staying. An unsightly snag is that makes me happy every time I see it. * * * #chesapeakebay #tredavonriver #easternshoremd #shorelife #brackishlife #choptankriver #chesapeake #savethebay #habitat #riverkeepers #beautyeverywhere #fortbirthday #birdwatching #snags #roost #ospreys #americankingbird #oldmom #deadtrees #baldeagles #lifegoeson (at Oxford, Maryland)