No Joke: Capturing the Comedy in Our Backyard

Forget nature documentaries from the back of beyond; the real drama (and comedy) is happening right outside my window—100% unscripted.  Welcome to the world of AzarÉl Greetings. If you’re new, I create miniature, whimsical scenes and hide tiny treats throughout the sets. Then I wait with my camera while the local birds and critters go on a treasure hunt. The results prove that nature has a fantastic sense of humor—no joke!

1. ‘Operation Sugar Rush’ is a go.

Move over, Peter Cottontail—there’s a new bushy tail in town. Squirrels consider themselves the VIP guests for every occasion. Bunnies don’t climb onto our feeding platform; our resident “Easter Squirrel” was more than happy to fill in for the day. It just goes to show—on Easter morning, you never quite know who’s going to show up for the hunt!

2. Turns out ‘flossing’ with acoustic guitar strings is a terrible idea.

Meet Garfunkel, a squirrel who is practicing a “rendition” of The Nutcracker Suite. (Curiously, this is how that suite actually sounds on an acoustic guitar: Click here). The truth behind the photo? A few seeds had tumbled into the sound hole, and Garfunkel was determined to retrieve them. I actually heard the distinct twang of a plucked string! The thought of flossing with a guitar string sends jangly shivers down my spine, but for him, it was just a high-stakes quest for a snack.

Curious about the full ‘Garfunkel’ backstory? Click here to read all about him!

3. Target acquired. Commencing orbital seed bombardment in 3… 2… 1…

Meet the undisputed champion of the backyard seed-spitting contest. This is the precise millisecond of a ‘culinary rejection’. According to Wild Birds Unlimited, birds actually “heft” seeds to judge their weight. If it’s too light, it’s a “dud” and gets the boot! It’s kind of like a toddler being offered a spoonful of spinach – one taste, and pfft, out it goes!

4. Missed my exit panic. The turn was three miles back; you’re desperately looking back to see if you can make a quick (and probably illegal) U-turn.

While you’re calculating the odds of a highway patrol encounter, this chickadee is putting your driving skills to shame. The chickadee is a master of nimbleness. It can change direction in three hundredths of a second—that’s faster than you blink your eyes! it maneuvers through dense, tangled brush that would ground most other birds. It’s no wonder he chose this roadster. The classic Brush Runabout was a lightweight, two-seat car with a top speed of 35 mph.

5. Full-course, wriggling romantic dinner!

Forget the delicate, one-at-a-time seed exchange you see with Cardinals. Papa Bluebird is clearly a “go big or go home” kind of guy. If you thought stuffing wedding cake was messy, just look at this wriggling masterpiece! He bypassed the candlelight dinner” and gone straight to “all-you-can-eat buffet.” Can you even count the mealworms in his beak? Meanwhile, Mama is standing there with her mouth wide open, likely thinking, “I hope you’re planning to leave some for me!” This is so messy and chaotic.

6. You were eating what during pregnancy, honey?

I’m no genetics expert, but I’m fairly certain these neon-bright deliveries are not avian-correct. These small eggs were actually supplied by a friend with an egg farm. I had such fun coloring Easter eggs that year. Papa Bluebird looks like he’s having a minor existential crisis staring at his the new colorful clutch. That awkward moment you realize the genes might skip a generation (or an entire species).

Final funny thoughts:

Easter Egg Hunts — Proof your child can find things when they really want to!

Life is full of fun and laughter. At the end of the day, the real prize isn’t at the bottom of a basket; it’s the people we invite along for the ride.

The best feeling is laughing with your friend until you can’t breathe. Good stories are better shared. Pass this on!

Grab one of those friends and visit us at an upcoming show! Stay up-to-date by following on Facebook.