Bird Update - Because You're Dying to Know...

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, 

The Birds Are Here!

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a nest I found on our patio.  I was checking them daily, waiting for those babies to hatch.  One day I found this:

 Little baby birds.  Their eyes aren't even open yet.  Look at the face of the one on the right.  You see his closed eyes and beak?  He looks like a grumpy old man.  

I climbed up on a chair, reached my hand as far as it would go, and shot some pictures.  I looked around and found Mama Bird watching everything I was doing: 

She was perched on our clothes line.  

Then, when no one was around, she fed her babes: 

Sweet, but gross.  

I know you are on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next installment of baby bird photos.  So be sure to check back.  I'll post them just for you!  

Thanks for stopping by, even if you are bored out of your mind, 

A Nest

Every year since I've lived in this house, birds have made nests and had their little babies on our back patio.  It started when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter.  I would eat breakfast, watch Mama Bird build her nest, tend to her eggs, and then eventually, her baby birds.  Of course, I would rub my belly and think about my own baby.  

This year, I didn't see a nest from my window as I usually do.  But, as I walked around the house, I saw this: 

I can't believe the amount of work that goes into building a nest.  When I have the privilege of watching the Mama bird construct the nest, I'm amazed at how persistent they are.  They literally do this one piece of material at a time.  They'd grab their material, place it on the ledge, fly away and get another.  Rinse and repeat.  Over and over until the job gets done.  Often, the wind blows and knocks down what they just put up.  It's so time consuming and tedious.  This year, we had a stack of hay left over from last year sitting around.  By the looks of their nest, this is where they got most of their material.  

One year, a baby bird fell out of the nest.  I know that we can't touch them because Mama Bird would reject them.  So, I made Hubby go out there with a clean paper plate, pick it up and place it back in the nest.  I knew Mama Bird was watching from the yard.  They are never far way.  I held my breath as we waited for her to come back.  She fed ALL of the babies! Phew!  

I'll keep you updated with the nest.  It won't be long before we see awkward baby birds stretching their necks for food.  

Thanks for stopping by,