The chicks are almost too big for the nest now.
And today I saw them testing their wings.
Work with me. It's hard to get a good shot through the window.
I also discovered the best time of day to shoot photos is between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. That way they're completely lit, still basking in the sun, and the background is not so bright.
But by 6:30 p.m., and out of the direct sun, they were all tucked in for the night.
Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Yesterday, the mama hummer was busy defending the nest from some nosy sparrows.
She is one fierce little mama!
The babies (I have confirmed there are two) seem to be growing exponentially. Two tiny beaks are peeking out of the nest almost all the time.
I can see their downy feathers blowing in the wind when Mama is gone from the nest, catching insects to feed the hungry babes
You will notice that she's sitting on the side of the nest. That's because she's feeding BABIES IN THE NEST.
I think there are two babies (what do I call 'em, chicks?). It's hard to get a good picture, because the nest is about 25 feet away from the window and she has her back turned twards the building while they are feeding. But I've been watching her all morning and it looks like she's feeding two. It's created quite a stir in the office. We've been watching the whole thing with binoculars.
Here, you can just barely see the beak of one of the babies peeking out over the left edge of the nest. Wow. That's neat.
I'm still digesting the Sock Camp experience and going through photos. Being back at work is taking up most of my brain cells at the moment. I'll get to a post as soon as possible.
This morning, while talking to someone on the phone, I noticed a hummingbird has built a nest in the tree outside my office window.
Now, all I want to do is watch her! She is coming and going very quickly, with bits of fluff in her beak. She is never gone for more than a few minutes. I wonder if she's still building the nest, or if there are eggs in there. I can't see inside from this vantage point. I guess I'll just have to wait, but not for long. I did a little Google research and it looks like it will be about six weeks and then the babies are gone.
Wow.
