This is Mama or Papa supervising the young'uns.
The House Wrens fledged at the same time, so they were making a racket on the other side of the house. Meanwhile, this Oriole (below) was fluttering about...kept landing in the wire and taking off just as I focused on it.
The Phoebes were really difficult to pick out from their surroundings. And they flew fast and loopy, not at all predictable.
Mama? Or is it Papa?
A first look around
"Find the Hidden Phoebe"
They flew like aerial stunt masters. No "practice" flapping in the nest, no missed perches...and very hard to locate in all the late spring foliage.
Phoebes are in the flycatcher family. Fancy flight is in their blood...
I took dozens of photographs, then combed through them to find the birds.
Most of the pictures didn't have birds.
Most of the pictures didn't have birds.
"I'm not going."
I took a picture of what I thought was the empty nest, but saw this when I downloaded the pictures.
"I'll just nap a little longer..."
"It does look sorta fun, though..."
And with that, the last phoebe flew (two hours after the others had left. Maybe this one was the last egg to hatch on Day One?).