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This is the partial set of last year's photographs. The entire sequence is in the blog for May of 2012.
As of this writing, the phoebes have returned, built a new nest, and hatched four chicks. Here we go again....
As of this writing, the phoebes have returned, built a new nest, and hatched four chicks. Here we go again....
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Mama and Papa carry the kids' fecal bags away from the nest area and drop them beside my car. The bags are tiny strong rubbery things, very difficult to break open with a stick (if you wanted to, that is). They pop and scatter in all directions if you step on one.
This slug was passing nearby to illustrate the size comparison.
"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?).
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.
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...
Mama? Or is it Papa?
A first look around
The Phoebes were really difficult to pick out from their surroundings. And they flew fast and loopy, not at all predictable.
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.
This is Mama or Papa supervising the young'uns.
