My front porch has once again been utilized as the birthplace of two beautiful baby hummingbirds. This is the third year now that mama hummy (as Louise calls them) has chosen my front porch to bear and raise her family - a true honor! I was a bit surprised to find this nest (they're very inconspicuous), especially at this stage, even though I had been keeping an eye out for one. I don't think these guys are much more than a day or two out of the egg. Sadly I'll be unable to watch and record their growth much as I have to run off to do a little work for a couple of weeks. I will, however, be able to share with you the next ten days' worth of opportunities until then.
For reference that nest is about the same diameter of an American quarter. Very tiny, and you'll be amazed at how big they get and still manage to share space in this nest.
This is wonderful! Nature is so amazing! To think that this nest is so tiny and that Mama Hummy will look after them until they are ready to fly.
It is also amazing how different the seasons are from you to our place - you have almost summer time weather and we are still under a blanket of snow.
Yea!!! You found it!!! I sat out watching to see where my hummie was headed today, and when I wasn't watching for her, I walked down the side of the house and there was a nest in the orange tree. Ken got on a ladder to look into it and she came flying up to keep an eye on us! It's still empty, so we're not sure if it's going to be put to use! Perhaps I'll post my photo of the nest next to an orange for scale!
An honour indeed to have these gorgeous little birds trust you with their offspring - they must feel good vibes from you Ron.. it's an astounding image.. they are feathered so are more than a couple of days old but - whose counting?? they hold their beaks upward to try to be the first to be fed, all they have to do is open and push upwards..
in the UK we are not allowed to photograph birds at nest without a special licence, even if the nest is visible and on our own property.. it is to protect them
Fantastic capture in lovely detail, had to raid in my foreign money draw to determine the size, I know how small humming birds are but I'm amazed how small the nest is, you did well to even find it let alone photograph it Ron:)
Wow, baby hummers! What an exciting thing. Sad you have to leave them to grow without watching but what a treat to have them at all! I can hardly believe the size you describe - amazing!
@farmreporter Thanks, Wendy. Oh, trust me, I spent my fair share of time not too far from you....which is why I am now in California. Yes, I do have to say it's nice to have summer-like weather, and babies being born this time of year. Thanks very much for your comments.
@redy4et Thanks Elizabeth. Yep, they are pretty tiny. I'll be posting more for sure. May have to have a little help from my kitty sitters, but the documentation will be there somewhere.
@joannakate Thanks Joanna. I suppose it's necessary to be in that position so that mama can feed them - something I have yet to witness. She scatters quickly when I get anywhere close.
@Weezilou Thanks Louise! So cool to make this find. Peter also suggested the wildlife theme, and I have tagged it so. Yes, mama made quite the impressive little nest. Looking forward to what happens with yours.
@jorlam Thanks Jorlam..... for the comments and for the interesting information. I guess I should bless my good fortune that I'm not doing any illegal photographing here. The bigger threat here is actually the crows who would swoop in and snatch the babies away in no time. Kind birds they are not! But mama has wisely chosen a spot that's hidden from their view - and I guess she must have some trust in me...even as I exploit their images to share with the 365 community. I'm sure she's secretly proud. ;-)
@pcoulson Thanks so much Peter. Yes, they are tiny indeed. I had actually been looking for a nest as I know this is about the time of year when the eggs would be laid, and I simply was looking right past it. Then the other day, duh, there it was. It will be fun to watch them grow, hopefully healthy.
@casablanca Thanks for your kind comments. I have another week during which they should grow quickly, and if things go right, the folks house-watching and kitty-sitting will be able to capture some images before it becomes time to depart the nest. I'll keep everyone posted. ;-)
@lyndemc Thanks Denise. I was wondering if it was wise to use American currency as a gauge to go by, as our membership is largely outside of the U.S., but it seems that most people have some concept of the size. Thanks for coming on by!
@terryliv You wouldn't believe how small those eggs are! Smaller than a Jelly Belly jellybean! And wow, do those beaks grow quickly. Just compare this photo with the one posted four days later. Almost twice as big!
This is so fabulous ! We were lucky enough to have a robins nest in our back garden one year; watching the chicks progress was so lovely ( and we named all 5)!
It is also amazing how different the seasons are from you to our place - you have almost summer time weather and we are still under a blanket of snow.
I adore hummingbirds! Look forward to more shots.
in the UK we are not allowed to photograph birds at nest without a special licence, even if the nest is visible and on our own property.. it is to protect them