Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Hush Little Baby

A few weeks ago, we noticed an exciting event taking place in My Florida Backyard. For the first time since we've lived here, a pair of birds have decided to nest on our property! They're Northern Mockingbirds, and they've built their nest in the honeysuckle right off the back porch, giving us a front row view to all the action. We've been documenting the action over the last couple of weeks, and this morning, we found the hatchlings have emerged! Here's the lead-up to today's blessed event:





And here are the three unbelievably ugly babies! They are obviously very newly-hatched, possibly just today. Their eyes are not yet open, and they aren't chirping yet. While their parents are out foraging for food, the chicks just lay limply in the nest awaiting the next meal, at which point their little heads shoot up and their beaks open wide...




And finally, let's go to the videotape! We made some chirping sounds like their parents might to see their response... do you think these little guys are hungry?



We'll be documenting their growth in the days ahead. Check back often for updates on the mockingbabies!

9 comments:

  1. That is so wonderful! Great pictures and their eggs are so pretty.

    FlowerLady

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  2. How cool is that? They are so ugly they are cute! Sweet things.

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  3. Amazing little creatures, aren't they? The video was great. I was expecting to hear them crying and was surprised by their silent cries. Keep taking their pictures for us. They're wonderful to watch.

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  4. You are lucky to get that close without the parents dive-bombing you. Last year mockingbirds had a nest in our Senna Bicapsilarius tree. If I got within 10 feet of the tree they would be after me.

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  5. How wonderful to see this event. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Aren't baby birds the cutest ugliest things ever? I love how they all perk right up when you make the chirping sounds. I've done that to get the babies attention for great photos!

    Check out my Bird Lady Blog from way up here in Loon Lake, Washington.

    http://birdladyblog.blogspot.com/

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  8. I also think the eggs are pretty and it is great that you can get close ups of the babies.

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