May 31, 2017
On a long county dirt road, I came upon this fallen intact nest. Upon closer observation, I wondered:
A nest is magically light, yet it can withstand many of the harsh forces of nature. How come?
It is difficult to see where a nest begins and ends, much like a circle. No triangles. No squares. No rectangles. What does this tiny bird understand that I don’t? How might I design with such elegance?
Weaving and stitching brings strength and flexibility simultaneously to a nest. Paper thin birch bark provides the foundational cradle. Secretions bind. The bird works like a master weaver without the loom. Methinks I need to reconsider the term ‘birdbrain’.
A nest is small, but it has everything the bird needs. Nothing more. Might I have enough?
michael j. brennan 