Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Saturday, March 26, 2016

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.

Friday, March 11, 2016

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)

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Bushtit nest

Hanging in a jacaranda tree near the local golf course

One of the pair working on the nest


Friday, March 4, 2016

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

Thursday, March 3, 2016

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

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

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!

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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