If...

If I was one of the Swallows swooping about looking for a home in the acres around our house (so many this year!),

I wouldn't go for the new construction these two seem interested in (yes, there are two swallows in this photo, can you spot the second?),

I wouldn't take a second look at the home dangling from the branches,

I'd steer clear of the home downstairs from Mr. Squirrel, for sure!

I wouldn't even want the one surrounded by an orchard of flowers (although it would certainly give me pause),

I'd avoid the ancient home on its last legs, despite the promise of cool barn eaves on hot Summer days.

Nope, I would settle myself and my soon-to-be family near the heart of a gnarly old moss-ridden Alder.

True story.