Sigh. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I’m just now getting around to actually writing about it. As you know, Day 2 of my Nature Challenge [here], I posted pictures of a little bird who was nesting in an alcove on our back porch. I must admit, it was such fun watching the parents care for the babies (I assume as much since I can’t tell one from the other) and watching the babies grow.
Shortly after the babies hatched, we had an onslaught of carpenter bees. These are all new experiences for us. We knew (had been told) that the carpenter bees would drill/bore holes into the home and lay eggs. Well, we couldn’t allow that to happen in our new home so the exterminators were called. We told the guy that he would just have to work around the nest. He explained to us that there was no way he could do that and it would kill the baby birds. What a quandary. Do we try to save the babies and risk mama bird never returning or do we just condemn them to a toxic death? And so, against mama bird’s wishes, Tom gently brought the nest into our home. This was April 29. I just could not resist:
Sorry about the camera shakes. I was trying to get a bit closer with my iPhone5. Their little squeeks were barely audible. The exterminator told us not to let any of our animals out for at least an hour. So, after a couple hours of waiting, Tom replaced the nest in the exact same spot. We just held our breath that all was well and mama would return. And she did. Without a zoom lens, I was never able to catch her feeding the babies. Every time I tried to sneak outside, she would fly a short distance away. So I stopped trying. I didn’t want to upset her. Then on May 8, after she left from feeding them, I took the step-stool and my iPhone and did my best to get a photo without getting too close.
A few days later on May 11, I took this one shortly after their feeding.
The next time I took any pictures was on May 16. The babies are all grown up here and exercising their wings. It won’t be long now.
Well, it wasn’t very long, indeed. Not too long after I took the previous picture, one by one they spread their wings and we ended up as empty nesters. And this is how it has remained. Now it’s time for us to clean up the mess left behind by the little ones. Gosh, just like kids….. 😉
LIVING WITH MY ANCESTORS 
That is so nice, Lisa, I really commend you for taking care of the nest and young. Well done!
Thanks for your visit and comment! 😀
Reblogged this on Janet’s thread.
Thanks so much, Janet! 😀
🙂 Just like kids… Thank you for sharing the story and the video, Linda! A pair of Woodpeckers are raising their babies in our backyard, I have been watching them. I think another week or so they may leave… I don’t mean to impose it on you. If you are interested, here is the link:
https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2016/05/23/the-first-time/
Thank you for sharing your link, Amy. I just love your posts about the woodpeckers. So beautiful. Never, ever think sharing your link might be an imposition. I really appreciate it! Have a great weekend!
Thank you for you kind words, Linda! These birds are sweet, beautiful, and loving… So glad you share your story with me and let me share mine. 🙂
Happy weekend!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful episode in nature. So kind to go to the trouble of removing the nest and placing it back- and what a wonder to see them grow. I just loved this!
Thank you for your kind words. They’re just so precious! 😀 Happy weekend!
Awesome photos, Linda. Kudos to you and your husband for ‘saving’ the babies, too. I’m so glad it worked out. I got some of ‘my’ robins, but have only posted 1 (I think) so far, after I had the egg photos. I got one of them about 1-2 (?) days old, and then as fledglings. I think they’re the same robins. Anyway, thanks for sharing—and should I say ‘welcome back to blogland from the now empty nest’!
Thanks, Leigh! It was a risk taking the nest away but it was one that had to be taken. We’re just so happy things turned out the way they did. I can’t believe I’ve not blogged in a month. So much to blog, so little time! LOL! 😀
HI Linda, I would like to get in touch with you–please email me
Hi Pat. Goodness, it’s been a lot of years! Hope all is well. I’ll look for you on FB!
What wonderful photos, and so wonderful that you could protect the babies so they could grow up. We have two nests in the rafters of our carport. They are about 18 feet off the ground. Every year, robins or sparrows or both will use them, and our dad sets up the tripod with camera on the front porch and uses the remote to photograph them. For whatever reason, nobody nested there this year. We were all really disappointed, especially the humans. Thanks for sharing your birdies with us. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Thanks, Janet. I keep thinking more and more that maybe I need more than an iPhone! I see so many photo ops that are missed or could be so much better with a zoom lens! Gosh, I wonder why your birds didn’t come back this year. Do you just leave the nest in place? I’m just wondering if we should take them all down and clean up the area.
Exciting having our “kids” stay for a while!
We had quail and loved every minute why they stayed… not long but long enough to fall in love.
I am sure some other kind of wildlife will show up at your door. They love to see us as well!
Who knew it could be so much fun living in the woods! 😄🐣
How wonderful that you could follow this family of feathered friends and to know all turned out well. Really nice photos.
Thanks, Renee! I do love a happy ending! 😀
Oh Linda what a happy ending! So fantastic you saved them.
Thanks, Sue! I was so happy and relieved when the mama came back and everyone was fine! By the way, happy belated anniversary! Wishing you many, many more! 😀 ❤
Very nice:) thanks for all the photos, the nest is amazing. Regards.
Thank you for your visit and kind comment! I am amazed at the engineering that went into this nest! 😀
Stunning shots of these little beauties Linda and I am glad you were able to save them. It sure is sad to see them go. They are so adorable and I loved the video. Such cuties. 😀 ♥
PS: What a gorgeous nest as well. Do you leave it there for her next brood or do they build new nests?
I agree with you on the nest. To me, it’s an engineering miracle. It’s perfect. I’m hoping that someone who has experienced this before can tell me if we should take the nest down or leave it there for next time. So far, we’re leaving it. I guess we’ll play a wait and see if we have a repeat with this nest! There are plenty of other alcoves if someone wants to start fresh! LOL!
I am always in awe when I see their nests. Really amazing. I would also leave the nest and see what happens. It would be interesting to see if they do come back or maybe someone else moves in. 😀
Sounds like a hotel around there. LOL!
A hotel, indeed! We do serve food and rest 24/7 to pretty much all wandering critters! LOL!
hahaha! That sounds good. Got a spot there for me as well? 😆
Always, my friend! LOL!
Awwww, that’s awesome. Thanks darling. 😆
Thanks, Sonel. They were so adorable. I did hate to see them go but they definitely had outgrown the nest! LOL! Trouble is, I can’t recognize them to tell if they’re still around here for the bird feeder!
I would have felt the same and yes, unfortunately that is the problem. LOL! I am sure one day they will tell their children you took photos of them when they were babies. 😀
😆
Leave it to Linda…saving a nest with baby birds and making it succelful too!! That was not easy. I salute you !!! Xoxo Johanna
Aw, shucks, Johanna. twarn’t nuttin’! LOL! Now, if I only knew whether to leave the nest alone or if they’re done with it forever and I can take it down. Happy weekend to you! 😀
Ack, even I felt a little sad at the end of your post, seeing that empty nest. What a wonderful thing you’ve done for those wee birds.
Do you think any of them will return next year, with plans to nest in your home again?
I have to admit, it was somewhat sad seeing them leave — at the same time, it was happy seeing them progressing. As for a return, I have no idea. I wish I knew. We can’t decide whether to leave the nest in place, or clean the spot for a new one! 😀
When I read the word “sigh” and then about the exterminators, I was expecting the story to go a different way. You kept them safe, and now they’ve moved on. That is life. You did a good job.
One thing about me, Lignum, had the story gone the other way, I doubt it would ever have made print! I was so happy to watch them grow and thrive. Thanks for your kind comment! 😀
Om,you gave me a fright,dear Linda;when I read the title I thought the little ones had “gone” for some reason.Thank God they are flying free and happy now.Your animal love and your instinct guided you to do the right thing.I so much enjoyed your photos and the video with the little beautiful souls.Empty Nest but Heart filled with noble sentiments and more animal love.Enjoy your Sunday with Tom & your furry kids 🙂 Hugs to you 🙂 ❤ xxx
PS:It took me ages to answer your rich comment on my last post,sorry about it,but when I am away from WP for such a long time,all is such a mess …. 🙂
I didn’t mean to frighten you! I’m glad you enjoyed this and I do love a happy ending! I’m waiting to see if anyone returns down the road. And, please, never feel like you have to apologize to me or even make up for missed postings. We all take sabbaticals from time to time. Why, I just did! It can be refreshing — or not! LOL! But we’re still here and we’re still blogging! Wishing you a glorious week ahead! 😀 ❤
Thank you for your understanding,loved the word “Sabbatical”,I ‘ll keep it in mind to make me feel relieved lol,but I hate my cluttered email box,I can’t start deleting without checking out almost every email.Right now it is uncontrollable … 😦 Best wishes for a brilliant week ahead,too 🙂 ❤ xxx
Oh, you’re so like me when it comes to the mailbox! LOL! Little by little! 😀
Yeah,little by little 🙂 ❤ xxx
Ah, this story reminds me of our family if chickadees from last year. Last year, we put a birdhouse in the backyard. I was s glad when I learned that a chickadees made a nest in it. A few weeks later, I heard some merry chirping from inside the birdhouse. I went to our house to get my camera to get a picture of the birds. Lo and behold! When I returned just a few minutes later, the birdhouse was empty. I was both disappointed and sad that I did not get to see the babies.
These little critters are fast once they make up their mind to fly the coop! We were looking at them sitting on and around the nest and next thing you know — poof — no birds! 😀
I’m so glad this ended with a happily ever after. I was afraid the mother wouldn’t return. I’ve had to repeatedly remove the beginnings of a nest from an unsafe area in the corner of our front porch. She was building in an asparagus fern on a pedestal at perfect head height for our three large dogs. I hated to do it but better now than when she lays eggs and we have to figure out how to deal with the situation. We’ve been there once before and it was no fun. Good for you, though.
We were afraid the mother wouldn’t return, too, Lisa. We’re just thankful she did and all worked out well. At least the nest is in an out-of-the-way place that would be difficulty for any animal to get to. All’s well that ends well! 😀
Awww … such a feel good story and photos.
Thanks, Isadora! It was one of those happy they’re all well and sad they’ve all moved on! 🐣😄
oh I am so pleased there was a happy ending. they are such ugly cute things when they hatch lol. Great captures and video Linda!
Isn’t that the truth about ugly cute?!! Great description of the little “things!” 😀
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Such a beautiful story, Linda!
Thanks, Inese! Happy you stopped by and enjoyed it! 😄
Linda, marvelous, marvelous, marvelous…what good fortune to have such an experience.
It was wonderful, Sally! I hope it happens again. When I see a little bird around here now, I think “are you one of our babies?” Yes, I’ve been told I’m a bit crazy!
What a wonderful thing you did!
Aw, thanks, Cynthia. 😀
Dear Linda, thanks for sharing this wonderful post – I love text and photos. Bye. Kamila
Thanks so much, Kamila. I hope your week is going well! 😄
🙂
Hi Linda! I enjoyed this post and pictures. This reminds me of the little humming bird outside my mother’s window. She so enjoyed watching the tiny bird build its nest and lay a tiny egg and watch this little mother care for her tiny charge and then to see it grow and fly away, then to return the next year and do it again. Later my friend, Sandy McLaws
Thank you so much, Sandy. It is so good to hear from you. My e-mails to you are still bouncing back so I hope one of these days it’s fixed. It was such a treat for us to watch these little birds progress. After this batch, we ended up having another one on the front porch not long after. What a treat! Take care! Love and miss you! 😀 ❤