Yesterday morning, I had the honor of watching a mother and father usher their fledge into a flight! The parents kept making a similar flight pattern: Apple tree, fence, side bush (where the young one was--finally caught him--I didn't even notice the nest just behind him). He has a little mohawk growing.
After the repeating flight patterns and after they checked me out over and over, the little fledge made it all the way into our apple tree! The parents then kept visiting the little guy/gal to usher to the next set of branches. It was all behind the leaves, so I decided to slowly and quietly make my way up the hill in my back yard, which is more dense and natural.
I found the fledgling on a branch (lighting was bad), sitting patiently, then calling for a parent. The mother and father both visited for encouragement (the father photo did not come through). After the mother left to show the pattern again, the little one took a big look at me as if to say, privacy please.
Then it took flight, and low and behold in the corner of my frame, I got his glorious wing span (notice no tail yet). A true thrill. Not very great photos, but fun nonetheless!
After the big flight, mother rejoined the fledgling, took a peak at me through the leaves and the baby gave a "look back" as if to say, did you catch it lady? See you later! :)
