Hatchlings

Latest photo from the hummingbird nest-- two little fuzzy babies:

Egg hunt

I saw a mourning dove flying out of a big tree in our front yard, followed by a crow with something in its beak-- something white and ovoid:

Little kids aren't the only ones hunting eggs this weekend.

Eggs

Mar. 9: after being out of town for three days,
 I came back to find the hummingbird's nest looking nearly finished!

Mar. 10: taken while standing awkwardly on a stepladder,
camera held up over the nest, angry mother bird buzzing at me...

Mar. 11: the second egg has been laid!
(Two eggs is the almost universal brood size for hummingbirds)

Bushtit nest

Hanging in a jacaranda tree near the local golf course

One of the pair working on the nest

Construction

In a tangled side-yard, another nest!

The little builder at work

 

Liftoff 2

The second juvenile hummingbird has taken off from the nest!

Following in the footsteps (or rather, wingbeats) of the elder

Licking leaves (in pursuit of dewdrops or tiny bugs?)

Abuzz

The youngster seems to be venturing from branch to branch in short hops

A clearer shot

Liftoff

The elder baby is now out of the nest!

The younger one now has the nest to itself...

Though it's also eager to take flight

On edge

The bigger hummingbird baby has taken to perching on the edge of the nest, testing its wings:

Mar. 1

Mar. 1, buzz buzz!

Mar. 1, bold adventurer and scruffy younger sibling

Mar 2, after sleeping in the nest all night, it's time for...

...another flying attempt!

Big babies

Younger sibling apparently being used as a cushion

"Ugh, fledge already and get off my back"

Mommy bird has to hover to feed them, as the babies take up so much space

Awkward family photo