The Nelsons are a family of Cardinals who nest in one of our bushes. Or not. Haven't found the nest yet. But twice, Miss Tippy did find Baby Nelson. 2 mornings in a row. Day one was a bit of a challenge, not knowing whose baby it was, so after hanging the baby outside in a bucket out of reach from predators, within 15 minutes of watching, the father showed up. Perplexed at finding his offspring in a bucket (Baby was able to hop and climb out of everything else) he flew off and returned with Mom. Both finally got brave and went down into the bucket to check on Junior. At which point I decided to interview, and help out, by putting the baby in the bush, where they could care for it in safety. A pair of very hysterically yelling parents watched as a human touched their child, but things calmed after I retreated. Cardinals apparently have very strong mating and parenting habits, including mating for life. So, happily, the scent of cat and human's didn't put them off. Next morning, let the cats out again as the dawn approached, and only to have Tippy rescue the same baby again. In spite of the fact that in order to keep the baby in her mouth, she had to hold on tight enough that it was gasping for air, the baby was fine after the cat gave it to me, and hopping mad. Literally. Talk about vocal cords. I called in the cats, and returned the baby to the bush. But, the same as the day before, the moment we were outside, and the baby heard the sounds of other birds, it became quiet as a mouse. It was a well trained little baby, for sure. Except on the freezing part. Freezing on the ground in the same place where the cat found you the day before, not smart. 
Early on day 3, I went out in advance to see if the coast was clear, and found the Nelsons (named for my mother's parents Nelson and Ina, former owners of the home) had left baby in the neighbors vegetable patch, as they went out and about bringing home food for Junior. Not yet ripe, as you can see.
Not a bad place in a neighborhood full of dogs. In fact, they kept it in there quiet some time that day, probably figuring our cat would not enter the dog's yard. Little did they know that particular dog loves cats, and always wags her tail when mine are about. And I have a rather sneaky (but gentle) cat. However, we still had a close call as the birds were moving baby around, and mom spotted the little brown ball of fluff back in the yard, with the cat closing in. I went out and chased the baby through the fence, then brought in the cats. Who have not been at all happy with the shorter outdoor play time.
They are going to be even less happy when I take the weed eater to the nice long grass. Can't just mow it because there was leave cover and the grass managed to come back up on me before my health would let me get caught up with that. We shall have to come up with some pussy cat watching areas, not too close to the bird feeders.
As you can tell by the length of this post, it was quite and experience for me, the chance to learn a bit of the secret language of birds. Being able to watch as the parents worked in the yard behind us teaching the little one commands to climb up a side of a tree, and find other ways to avoid predators until wings could full carry them was a real treat.
As for Tippy, once she catches something and brings it to me, she is back outside to see what else she can catch. She is, of course, a cat. But a very careful cat who seems to know her human likes her gifts in perfect shape. And for that, everyone is grateful. I am hoping I will be able to develope a bond of sorts with the bird family, but as the owner of a cat, I fear they have not been overly eager to begin a friendship! But they always spend time in the yard, as well as the other owns. They have such a vast world, in a way.
In keeping with current trends and fads in art, I have decided to create my own ever changing goddess of the garden. When I first planted the Jackmanii Clematis in the post with her naked form, we had a fairly good length of vine, and a few flowers as well. But a strong Kansas wind came along and changed that. However, the Jackmanii is strong and fast climber, so by first 
frost, she should have some nice foliage. In the mean-time we have some annuals down below so perhaps she will have a bit more color before the growing season is over. And maybe by then, all the weeds in the background will be gone and well on the way to being replace by some-thing that will eventually be part of the perennial garden. Grandpa left me with a good beginning, but I still have a long way to go!
