I miss them.

They’ve all been gone since Tuesday. I saw one standing on the edge of the nest that afternoon. Then, quick as a wink, he took off. It was glorious to watch. I didn’t have the camera, but that is just as well. I would have missed the moment. I’ve watched Papa lead a fledging to a ‘safe’ area. I’ve seen him feeding them until they learn those skills on their own. What a blessing this journey has been.

Today I came home after a long day, part if which was spent outdoors watching a rehearsal in 90 degree heat, with a heat index of 100 degrees, and I found myself really missing my little companions.

For those of you who think touching a baby bird in need will keep the parents away – that’s simply not true. So if you see a baby in danger, pick it up. Do what you can. When I moved that baby bird and walked away, the father came over immediately and fed it.

And by the way, my roommate tells me he didn’t find the little bird’s body. So maybe, just maybe that little one found shelter and healing. There’s a smidgen of hope, at least. I’ve seen a little one hopping around but I have no way of knowing which bird it is.

I have to stop worrying now. There are too many hazards down there on the ground, not the least of which is the overabundance of golfcarts and machinery on the golf course. I just have to let go and hope these little ones get the chance to grow.

I had a post here about the baby bird who left the nest too early, perhaps because he fell or was accidentally pushed. And who I saved from the lawnmower’s blade. However, he was very traumatized by the lawnmower – he was very agitated when I found him. I’m pretty sure he died. I noticed that the parents were no longer coming his way to feed him.

I also heard my roommate (who just arrived yesterday and lives downstairs) go outside, walk to the woods, and then come back. I think he saw that the bird had died and removed it so I wouldn’t be upset.

Anyway, I feel sad. I did what I could. If I hadn’t moved him, he would have died from a lawnmower blade. Perhaps I should have put him back in the nest when I first saw him on the deck. But the Mom was there and I didn’t think I should interfere. And he took off too quickly for me to make a move.

I took the other post down. It doesn’t seem right, somehow.

By the way, the old idea that a human’s touch will keep a mother away from a baby bird is untrue. It’s an old wive’s tale. Birds don’t have a strong sense of smell. And right after I moved the baby bird, the father came over and fed it. No, I believe this baby bird injured itself in the fall. It couldn’t move around very well. Another baby just fledged this morning and it is hopping all over the place.

There are four babies. This is Dad and two of the babies – the youngest is on the left.

You can clearly see the difference in birth order. There’s most likely a two to three day age difference. So we have the baby looking very much like the photos I showed you the other day. And then we have the oldest, who has developed feathers all over his body and who is now experimenting with his wings.

This guy worries me. He’s constantly trying to lift his body higher in the nest with a little flap of his wings. Yes, Mama, keep an eye on him.

A few minutes ago, Mama was standing on the railing, sending out some sort of alarm call. She’s calmed down now. You understand, of course, that if I could, I would camp out on the balcony and protect these babies. I’ve already racked my brain for something soft to put on the deck below the nest so that if one falls, he’ll be cushioned.

Am I crazy?

Don’t answer that.

I see why the littlest birdies can stretch their necks so far. They have to be able to get their parents’ attention.

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I am reading around blogland about a problem leaving comments. I haven’t run into that as of yet. I did have that problem a few years ago with Typepad blogs. One suggestion is to try another browser. Sometimes that can make a big difference. Also, clear your browsing history and cache. Then reload the browser. Maybe this will help.