A flurry of activity today in the bird's nest out back. Just under two weeks ago, two of the eggs hatched. The parents have been on constant scavenging and feeding duty, their offspring greedily demanding more and more food. In just 10 days, they've changed from scrawny, ugly, featherles freaks into bouncing baby birds. We've been keeping up a near-constant vigil on their development, squeeing like fangirls at every feathery flutter. Today, however, was even more gripping stuff -- drama that approached Rome (Season 2) for intensity. First up, the babies made a break for it, hopping up onto the edge of the nest. One then found his way out through the dense foliage to take his first peek at the big wide world -- and then promptly disappeared. Gone! Vertrekt!
Both the parents and his surrogate mother (i.e., me) were in a state of near-panic, and for the first time in ages I was extremely glad we don't have cats. PJ had to talk me down, while the parents flew around, crying out for their chick. Eventually, we (i.e., the parents and I) located him under the recycling bin. And now he's down the side of the shed. Phew!
Meanwhile, his rather more timid sibling stayed on the edge of the nest, sheltering from the driving July rain.
Soon they'll be gone -- for good. And I'll have to find something else to occupy my time.
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