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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Empty Nesters

That’s  what we are this week cause after checking the little cedar tree in the front yard, we found this . . .

robin nest tree0525 empty nest

Before we left on our recent NC road trip, this little nest had 4 beautiful blue eggs, and then not 4, (as we first thought) but only 3 young robins, featured in an earlier post.

0512baby robin collageThese young birds had no feathers and their eyes were shut. They would silently open their mouths whenever we looked in, most likely expecting their parents to feed them – a never-ending chore with young’uns.

Young birds grow and fledge quickly we knew, but we hoped (or rather expected) to see these young robins around when we returned home. But, a week away is a long time when young birds are being feed constantly and growing quickly.

0524 baby robin (10)Here’s WHAT was in the nest – this single, fully feathered, eyes wide open, alert young robin and, as you can see, he really filled the ENTIRE little nest.

Grenville and I checked around the trees and front yard, but found no signs of any siblings, nor did we see any evidence that they had been attacked by neighborhood cats. Of course, another bird carrying off a defenseless young one is always a possibility. While disappointed not to have seen them leave, we were thankful to have not found anything indicating they left other than voluntarily.

Maybe space was a problem?

0523 baby robin (2)This little fellow took up the WHOLE nest – and was always hungry.

open wide collage

0522 baby robin (16)Mom and dad robin usually hovered nearby and attended to every feeding.

adult robin collageAnd clearly were very protective.

robin adult0522 (8)Even though the front yard nest is deserted, it remains in the little cedar tree and maybe it will have new occupants before too long. The former occupants left it in good shape, so it’s all ready.

Yesterday while working in the back yard, we watched a mourning dove and a robin as they gathered nesting materials and flew into one of the pine trees . . . so maybe we’ll have a couple of full nests VERY soon.

21 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

Hopefully they all flew the coop. It is fun to watch them grow and feed.

Sherry said...

What neat photos you got! Enjoyed looking at them.

Cicero Sings said...

My, what a big mouth it has -- the better to eat yum bugs with!

Anvilcloud said...

Sorry you were robined of the opportunity to see them grow.

john bain said...

A beautiful post.

MadSnapper said...

i laughed out loud at that wide open mouth., this is a great story and i hope the others work quick learners and flew away. i know that crows and other predators pray on the babies. this one is a real cutie and i am thinking you might be right about the space problem

Anonymous said...

To bad You didn´t get a chance to see them leave the nest. The American Robin is very beautiful!

Have a great day!
Christer.

Country Gal said...

Beautiful photos ! Some of our Robin babies didnt make it, nature can be cruel ! Have a great day !

grammie g said...

Hi Beatrice...oh my goodness is that ever cute and funny!!
I know some people who have a big mouth like that...hahaha I bet you do to!!
Very nice photos of the action!!
Hope this works I still can't post comments on a lot of posts, and answer those on mine???? grrr!

Connie said...

Great pictures! They do grow really fast once they've hatched, it seems.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hi Folks, glad you enjoyed this post. We were thinking of hanging out a "For Rent" sign on the tree in hopes of new tenants :-)

Yes, Steve, AC, Christer and Elaine (Country Girl - it was great fun watching them for the short time. The lone one hung in there for nearly a week after we returned home and then one a.m. he was gone, and we never saw him/her(?) again.

Thanks for the visit, Sherry and the kind comment, John (Don't Unplug).

Eileen (Cicero), Sandra, and Grammie G...this baby robin's BIG mouth was the best part of watching - it was always opening when we looked in and one thing robins won't eat is birdseed, but worms insects, berries are on the food list. Yes, Grammie we DO know some big-mouthed folks too.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...
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Beatrice P. Boyd said...
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Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

What a perfect picture you captured of that precious mouth. We feel like protective parents when we know we have feathered babies in the yard. I hope you get to see more babies soon in that empty nest.

Christine said...

What a beautiful little bird baby! Loved the photo of him with the wide open mouth.

Unknown said...

There's a robin conspiracy in these parts. Every time I frame a shot they turn around so I can't get a decent shot of that beautiful red breast. I've got dozens of back shots and it's driving me out of what's left of my mind! Of course, that'll be a short drive....won't take much gas.....

Elaine said...

Love that shot of the wide open mouth! Imagine having to keep it filled.....

Vagabonde said...

I see you will become grandparents in July, so will we. Our daughter who already has 2 boys (4 and 2) is expecting another boy around the second week of July – she was hoping for a girl. Your baby bird pictures are lovely. We have some cardinals nesting in the yard but I have not been close to their nest. Our yard is made up mostly of bushes, pine trees and not much sun to grow flowers or veggies. We have annuals in planters and they do look pretty on the back porch. I bought some great looking strawberries though and shall make some jam this afternoon.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hey Chip, we have so many robins around the yard that you would be sure to get a good shot. COme on over anytime to the VA eastern shore!

Elaine, yes thie baby's mouth, and most seem to really open w-i-d-e whenever it sensed there was a possibility of being feed. The parents were kept very busy with only this one, maybe that's why the others were all gone.

Hello Vagadbonde and welcome. Yes, we will welcome our 2nd grandchild in late July (a girl to be named Elizabeth) who will be sister to our 4-1/2 year old grandson. A friend had a nesting cardinal in her yard, but we have never seen a nest in ours. We have planted lots of wildflowers in several areas in the front and back yard, and I still put petunias, marigolds, impatiens and geraniums in planters. I'll do a photo sequence of our yard flowers soon, just trying to get good shots now. We have really been enjoying the fresh strawberries, but not enough yield to make any jam - we eat sme and have frozen some.

FAB said...

Hi Beatrice. Super captures of the greedy youngster in the nest. My Blue Tits fledged unseen so I'm also hopeful that they are in hiding somewhere else.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks, Frank for the compliment. When your subject is a captive one, it's easier to get good shots. Never did see this young one in the yard or any of the others. Hope they all survived and your blue tits as well.