A couple of weeks ago, I found a bird nest on my patio. Two weeks later, they hatched. I checked on them yesterday, and this is what they look like:
He does not look happy to see me.
As you can see, I had to get pretty close to take this picture. I was balanced on the arms of a patio chair, arm reaching high, snapping pictures. I know, I know, a ladder would have been safer, but the chair was right there.
After about the fifth picture, the bird let out a tweety-scream and flew right out of the nest! I think he was as shocked as I was.
Mama Bird immediately appeared and they began tweeting to each other in high pitched tones. I thought Mama B was going to attack me. I got off the chair, walked to the door, and watched Baby Bird hop-fly around. I was horrified! I thought for sure a cat would come along and eat him up. He didn't know how to fly yet!
I kept checking on him, for hours, as he hopped around the yard. He'd fly for a second and land back on the ground. Later that day, he still was not in the nest (I say he like I really know. I don't. I didn't check. I wouldn't know how if I wanted to).
This morning, much to my relief, I saw Baby Bird up in the nest with the other babies. Phew! He didn't get eaten. And apparently he learned how to fly! I didn't mean to force the flying thing. I like to think of it more as "providing the opportunity for a teachable moment between Mama B and Baby Bird." I'm just glad he wasn't eaten.
Here is the progression from eggs to feathers:
April 23rd
May 6th
May 10th
It's amazing how quickly they grow! I'm sure the nest will be empty in a few days, so this may be the last of the bird chronicles for this year. I know, don't cry. You'll fill your days up with other meaningful stories from other meaningful blogs.
Thanks for stopping by,
A forced teachable moment. LOL!!
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