In Our Backyard

A couple of robins started building their nest in our garden in the spring. We worried about where they were building it because it seemed rather low. They built it on the ledge of one of the trellises for the grapes. The nest was high enough that I couldn’t look right into it and it was protected by grape vines and leaves, but all I have to do is hold the camera up over the nest and let it do the spying for me. Here are a few of the shots I took of the nest.

About a week after they finished building the nest, I noticed that the female started sitting in the nest. So on one of the few times that she left to feed, I snapped a photo of her eggs.

After about two weeks, I started getting curious how the eggs were doing so when the mommy left the nest, I again stole a shot and was surprised that the eggs had already hatched and these nearly naked and blind hatchlings were huddled together at the bottom of the nest.

I didn’t want to risk making their momma mad so I didn’t go near them again for a couple of days. Then one day, I heard lots of delicate chirping and saw the momma bird flying back and forth from the nest so I couldn’t resist anymore. They were still blind, (see their eyes?) and couldn’t see me well. When I got up there, they sensed my presence and they must have thought I was the momma bird because they craned their necks up and opened wide. This is my favorite shot of the bunch.

It didn’t take them long to grow though. Another couple of days and they learned how to play mum when I approached. They would be chirping away for their momma and as soon as they hear my walking near, they take cover in the nest and barely make a peep! I had to take a blind shot by holding my camera above my head and aiming it at their nest. When I checked my shot, I was surprised to find them fully covered with feathers and already looking like little chicks.

A few more days and they were out of the nest! We saw them jump down and test their wings. For a while, they just stayed close to the bushes under the nest, flying from one branch to the other. Before long though, they have disappeared into the trees and our little birdies got lost in the flock of birds up there, eyeing our garden waiting for worms.

I wondered if all three eggs hatched because I always kept seeing only two beeks and I saw from the furry photo that one looked to be smaller than the other two so I wondered if he survived. I didn’t see them all come out of the nest, but my husbands swears he saw three birds hopping around the ground that morning. I hope so. I am rooting for the little runt as always

FALLEN EMBERS - Enya

Once, as my heart remembers
All the stars were fallen embers
Once, when night seemed forever
I was with you

Once, in the care of morning
In the air was all belonging
Once, when that day was dawning
I was with you

How far are we from morning?
How far are we?
The stars shining through the darkness…
Falling in the air…

Once, as the night was leaving
Into us, our dreams were weaving
Once, all dreams were worth keeping
I was with you

Once, when our hearts were singing
I was with you