Nests

Dear Reader,

We have had the privilege of watching two nests in our backyard this spring.

A robin made her annual nest (at least two years and counting) on one of the boards below our deck. My son and I have cautiously watched three beautifully blue eggs appear in the nest and then three incredibly sweet baby robins hatch. One afternoon when my son played in his new sandbox on our patio, I observed the mama robin close at hand but unwilling to sit on her nest with us so close. Finally, my son and I packed it up and went in for a bit as the robin literally waited with a worm in her mouth (to feed the babies) for more than a half hour. Dedication.

We've also watched the development of a nest by the outdoor vent for our fireplace. A mourning dove established this place, and literally took turns sitting there (with the male mourning dove, I'd assume) for a full month. We had no idea when the one baby mourning dove hatched, as the mourning dove parent continued to sit on the nest. Dedication. Finally last week we caught a brief time when the parents were away from the nest and saw the young mourning dove (not so little already by this time.) I captured a few pictures and am thrilled I seized the opportunity as the mourning doves were gone the following day. I am amazed by the extent to which the doves protected their young baby until he/she was ready to fly away.

I have really enjoyed observing the level of dedication that these birds give to their young, a great reminder of how natural it is to provide, protect, and care for young ones.

Sincerely,
Abi