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.
You are a kind heart and your love of these little birds is so sweet! I like listening to your little bird stories. Enjoy the wekeend and stay cool! Anne
Thank you for sharing this little family’s journey with us~ it’s been so sweet. How amazing it must have been to see those babies take flight!
Hugs,
Jill
Claudia, we have had two sets of baby hummingbirds in our backyard this spring..I think it is the same momma..I read they like to come back to the same yard..anyway, the first set I hope made it ok..one fell out of the nest on a cool Sunday night..my husband brought it in and I held it in my hand while my husband duct taped the nest tighter to the tree..we took him and place him gently back in the nest with his sibling..a couple days later they both flew out and we noticed mamma bird hanging with them both in the bushes..I have to hope he made it, so yes they have no sense of smell. the next pair fared much better..but I worried every day about them..Its the mom in us, friend..and when something does goe awry, as it does, it is mother natures way of taking care of things..does not make it any less sad, but God knows what he is doing..I am anxious to find the next nest and pair of eggs..I hope you get more, also..you did a good thing..
hugs
Barb
Hi Claudia, I’ve loved following your postings about the baby birds. An empty nest can be a sad thing to see but maybe another bird will come and lay her eggs there – do you know if they do that? Ciao, bella xxoo
We’re all sharing in your Empty Nest Syndorme!
They’ve gone so quickly! I’ve enjoyed each post and hope the little one you tried to save is ok! Enjoy your weekend and keep cool!
-Lynn
So the saying goes – it’s hard to let them leave the nest…
It has been fun watching them with you. Hope you get a break from the heat soon. It’s cooled off here – yeah!
Leann
Hi sweet, how lovely you saw one take off- we have 2 nests , on the ground, and filled with mini birdies in both… they looks so sweet and funny-
I`m happy for you, you had that special experience, with this birds just under your window.
Happy week-end, Claudia.
xo,Dorthe
Claudia, you did your job well. By the time that you leave, they will probably be all grown up and look just like mom and dad. Are you planning on taking the nest home with you? I know that was one of your first thoughts when you found it. Just curious. It would be a wonderful keepsake if you did.
Well, when they leave home all we can hope for is that they are safe and make the right decisions and move in the right direction…Stay cool Claudia!~Hugs, Patti
Love the glimmer of hope! We need to remember and apply that in many aspects of our lives.
I know you will miss this little family.
Have a wonderful weekend!
aawwww…i would miss them too…
enjoyed reading this…
so heartfelt
happy to stop by today, my friend
i have missed you
sending love,
kary and teddy
xo
Hi Claudia,
It is a beautiful day for us here in the Seattle area, and, as I write this, I can hear some little birds chirping outside my balcony doors. Very fitting for your posting today. I want to share with you something that happened to my younger son and I one morning. This may give you more hope that the little bird is okay. As mentioned above, we have a balcony upstairs at our home. There are two french doors with glass that open out to this balcony. One day, my son and I heard a very loud thump. We looked out and there was a little bird laying motionless on the deck. It had flown into the glass of our door. I saw some feathers pressed on the glass and knew that little one had hit quite hard! The little bird lay there, motionless, for about 15 or 20 minutes. During this time, I kept looking for any sign of life through the glass of the door. I really wanted that little bird to be okay. Finally, the little bird suddenly moved slightly. Then, it moved one of it’s wings a little. My thought was, “Oh, thank goodness! It is alive, but I hope it didn’t break it’s wing…) We kept watching the bird and after about 10 more minutes, the little bird was able to get itself in an upright position. Then, it sat there a minute. As we were watching, suddenly, the little bird flew off!!!! I was so happy to see it go. I think the little bird had just knocked itself out. I am hoping that your little friend is flying somewhere, too! Just thought this would be a positive story for you. Sometimes, amazing things can happen… Have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim
I CAN JUST IMAGINE HOW SAD THAT COULD BE. WE HAVE A LOT OF BIRDS NESTING AROUND HERE, AND IT GETS CRAZY WHEN THEY START TO GROW AND LEAVE, EVEN THE KIDS GET WORRIED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM. BUT….WE MUST GO ON…HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD WEEK. RIZZI
Claudia,
What a wonderful experience you’ve had, being able to witness nature in action. Your photos have been great too. But as was also the case, sometimes it’s good to just be, and store it in your memory. The birds were lucky to have you as a protector.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
hugs, Beth
These little ones really grab our heartstrings! I recently read Joan Dunning’s ‘Secrets of the Nest’ – only to became more facinated and in love with birds!
Happy Sunday, Claudia!
~ Zuzu
I have many times “helped” a fledgling out of harms way and also seen the parent bird come right back and help. So glad you were able to watch this extraordinary cycle of life provided by nature. It is truly amazing. Ann
I’ve had the experience of raising birds and can tell you, they always fledge before they can fully fly. It only takes a day or so before they are up safely in the trees once they leave the nest, if they have their feather wings. One can often see them on the ground while parents still care for them while they are learning to wing but, most often, they will have learned to hop onto low branches in the bushes and small trees until their wings are stronger.
Oh Claudia, I know just how you feel. Is it silly to miss some little baby birds that have flown the nest? No…I feel exactly the same way and am so happy to see someone say so too. Sometimes I think Bobby G. thinks I am just a silly lady. The babies next to my studio door took off on Friday. I looked and saw them in the nest and an hour later they were all gone. I missed the inaugural flight but probably it was intended that way. But yesterday I saw Phoebe, as I called the Mom, sitting on the basketball pole singing her heart out. Usually they lay more than one brood a summer so I think I will see more of her and him very soon. The baby birds on my last post were not the ones at my home. I never could get a good photo of the ones at home because their nest was under the rafters and it was dark. Have a wonderful week ahead Claudia. xoxo
Claudia,
I completely understand how attached we get to the creatures who choose to nest in our yards and on our porches! We have a nest in our pear tree and yesterday I saw three hungry little birds with their heads peeking out waiting for their mom. I worry all the time about the neighborhood cat “Tuna” who is a animal killing machine! She’s great with humans and the nicest cat but she kills the little birds and bunnies.
Those little babies will be fledging and you can bet I’ll be out there on watch for tuna! Those babies need us bird advocates to intervene if a cat gets near them!
~Sandy
oh Claudia- how lucky you were to see one of them fly off. In all the years I have watched birds nest in the houses in my garden I have never been lucky enough to be there when they leave the house. Right now I have a momma feeding her babies in one of the houses and when I am weeding she loudly lets me know that she does not appreciate me in her garden- even when I move far away from her to weed. Nature sure is amazing, isn’t it? I hope you are able to keep the nest as a reminder :)
Claudia,
One of our little Robins fledged yesterday! There are still three in the nest peeking out. I’m sure they will be out of the nest soon. I’m trying so hard not to get obsessed with their welfare! I hope and pray that they learn to fly so they can get away if a predator is nearby.
Take care.
~Sandy
it’s a beautiful nest! i had 3 separate robins nest this year and one cardinal nest – so it was a busy season! it is sad to see them go…….