Empty Nest

The babies are learning to fly. It's so cute! Tuesday when T- got home from school one of the babies jumped right out of the nest and hopped about 20' up the deck then took flight to the ground. 

Yesterday I went to check on my flower pots at the nesting end of the deck. One of the babies flew from the nest to the ground. It wasn't a real steady flight but it was flying. The baby hopped around for a few seconds then mommy bird flew down from her perch in the big cedar tree. Mommy bird and baby hopped over to the side of the driveway into the grass. At this point I thought it was best to take myself out of the picture. I don't want to make Mommy bird too nervous.

I'm glad Mommy bird decided to nest on my deck. They aren't nearly as messy as I thought they would be and it was interesting watching the little bird family. I didn't appreciate being dive-bombed at all. It made me think of that old horror movie as the bird came diving toward my face.

This morning the nest appears to be completely empty. Is she gone for the season? Do they come back to the nest once they leave?  I'll have to keep a watch on the nest to see.