Empty Nest Syndrome

Well, the baby birds are gone. They ran around our back yard most of the day. The fourth eggs did hatch, so there are now 4 little chicks. You can tell the youngest. He isn't quite as advanced as his siblings, but he does just fine. Mama bird wasn't as accomodating today. She and daddy bird were in training mode with their babies, so I was the enemy to fear. I did get pretty close later this afternoon.

Mama bird trying to distract me. Ha. I don't think so.

Here is the whole family out for a walk. I numbered the babies. They blend in so well.

After lunch we went back out and I couldn't find them. Then I saw Mama bird. She was in my garden, so I went to her. I couldn't find the babies. Where did they go? Then I spotted one in plain view. Then I spotted another in the tall grass. Where were the other 2? Something moved to my right. It was number 3. She was pretty close. Now, where is number 3. It must be the baby. After a few more minutes she moved to and there she was, right beside me. Sweet, sweet, sweet. Then the race was on. Mama bird squaked out orders and they obeyed, sort of. One little guy apparantly wanted his picture taken, so he stayed near me. That was a no no. Mama bird threw caution to the wind and flew to him. She squaked some more then stepped on his head. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that. You know, I sometimes feel like doing that to my little chick. This afternoon the all slipped through a hole in the fence and into our neighbors yard. I'll miss them. LOL Enjoy the pictures!!!!

We Have Chicks!!!!!

Today we noticed that the Kildeer chicks have hatched. I had to run and get my camera. Boy are they cute. Mama Bird and I have this understanding. I just talk real nice to her and she lets me take pictures of her babies. My "babies" were outside running wild but they didn't seem to bother her.

Isn't he just the cutest little thing!!!!!

There are three of them that have hatched so far. 2 are pretty advanced but one must have just been hatched because he couldn't walk well and his feathers weren't as nice yet. There is still one egg left. I fully expect it to hatch by tomorrow.

It is amazing that God created these little birds to be ready to go within hours of hatching. They look like little adult birds only cuter. I would love to have picked one up and petted it. However, I have seen Mama and Daddy bird's beaks and I didn't want to push.

Mama bird just sits there on her little ones keeping them warm. They take turns poking their heads out. Once all three got out and were running crazy. She had to call in daddy bird as reinforcement. She managed to get them all back under her. They are such obedient little birds. When I was taking pictures of the babies, Daddy bird got a bit worried. Never mind that I had been sitting there talking with mama bird for a good 20 minutes. He started squaking and squaking. I told mama bird to tell him it was ok. Well, she let out 2 or 3 little peeps to him and he quit. I can't wait until tomorrow to see them all running crazy all over the yard. I hope I catch them before they are gone.