Our Afternoon Discovery

For the last couple of weeks, we have been observing a lovely couple as they prepare their home in our hanging flower pot. They busily fly back and forth, bringing scraps of all sorts to make a proper home for themselves. When the work was finally finished, the Mama got to work, laying her eggs and staying with them consatantly to keep them warm. The Papa stood guard most of this time, keeping the pesky chpimunk away that was much too curious. It reminded us of Chatterer the Red Squirrel. It was hilarious to see the Papa bird swoop down and peck at the chipmunk and chase him all the way back into the forest only to return a short time later for another pecking!

But yesterday as we prepared for lunch we were given the best surprise, the babies had hatched! We dragged our chair to the window and peeked into the nest. At first we saw only one little beak, but soon two others came into view. When the Mama returned they stretched their necks so far to receive the food that had been lovingly brought to them. We watched for quite some time, but then we were spotted by Mama and she quickly covered her babied with her own body and shielded them from our view.

What a joy it will be to watch these creatures grow and to see their life cycle played out right in front of our very eyes!