I am very sad to report that when I went check on my baby birds this evening, I found the nest to be completely empty. They had just started growing feathers and having their eyes open when I went out there and I am seriously bummed. Hollis speculates that it could have been a snake or perhaps a rival mama bird who got them. I just know they are gone and I am going to miss them. We knew that "out in the open" thing was not Mama Brids' best decision. . .
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| Photo 1 |
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| Photo 2 |
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| Photo 3 |
One of the benefits of buying a house that was built in 1972 is that it comes with all sorts of old-timey appliances. Behold the one in the back yard (see photo 1). I know Hollis uses the wires between this one and it's mate for hanging up the dog blankets but I like the alternate uses we have found for the t-posts. It holds the rain gauge and a bird feeder. The bird feeder is a metal cage-like structure and we put these bricks of bird seed in them. Well, some genius Mockingbird built a nest in ours. This concerned us for a couple of reasons. One, it's sort of low and unprotected. Two, it is right out in the open - no shade anywhere. I went out to take a look. Here's what was in the nest (see Photo 2). They were so beautiful! Now we had a new concern. It just didn't seem possible that 3 eggs in the August, afternoon, South Texas heat could possibly do anything but cook. I kept going out every couple of days and taking photos but we were sure they were doomed. Here's was I found on Wednesday, August 11 (you guessed it - see Photo 3)! This is how I know it's a good thing that God is in control and not Hollis and me. We were wrong to doubt! Now, of course, all these guys have done so far is hatch. They pop their heads up for dinner every time I go near them and I even shot a video of that but I'll spare you that right now. They are not a bit cute. They were much prettier in their eggs but I'll keep taking photos of them and see if they get better looking.
