High drama in the garden. Yesterday John took this photo - very, very carefully, pretending to be doing something else, no flash - in which you can just see the black eye of the blackbird chick nearest the front of the nest. The other was neatly spooned in behind it - they were getting too big for their accomodation, I imagine.
And this morning the nest was empty. No flutterings and squeakings, no coming and going every five minutes as both parents worked to keep the food supply going. We'd just been remarking on the responsibility of having a nest out there, and now I was picturing Albertz on an early marauding raid, chicks thrown out by a contemptuous paw ... and then I saw the male, anxiously watching from the hedge on the other side of the garden, and below him one of the chicks, sitting in the grass. Later it had gone. Have they learned to fly? Or was this the first time, landing only feet from the nest? How long does it take a chick to be truly airborne? I hope they've made it to somewhere more secure.
Wherever they are, I'm feeling the empty nest syndrome all over again.
Showing posts with label blackbirds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blackbirds. Show all posts
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
A photo question and a bird in the bush.
I need a friendly geek. Today I was sent a photo as part of a text message to my phone (Sony Ericsson K6 10i). I want to transfer it to my computer, and thence to my blog. However, sending the photo anywhere does not seem to be an option, bluetooth or otherwise. Any thoughts, out there?
Meanwhile, in the unwired world of my garden, there is a blackbird's nest. Maybe that should be a blackbirds' nest, for there is a male, a female and what seems to be a largish baby - though as said nest is deep in the heart of an ancient Weigela and I don't want to disturb the birds I can't really tell if I'm seeing the baby which I can hear cheeping, or if its mum sits on it when at the nest. I find myself walking past and peering without looking interested - absurd, really. The birds seem unbothered by us - presumably used to our comings and goings. It's quite exciting, really - and of course rather late in the season. I hope the kid makes it. I shall be keeping a weather eye open for Albertz* from next door.
*Actually a female cat, named by the footie fans before they ascertained its gender. It has much to live down.
Meanwhile, in the unwired world of my garden, there is a blackbird's nest. Maybe that should be a blackbirds' nest, for there is a male, a female and what seems to be a largish baby - though as said nest is deep in the heart of an ancient Weigela and I don't want to disturb the birds I can't really tell if I'm seeing the baby which I can hear cheeping, or if its mum sits on it when at the nest. I find myself walking past and peering without looking interested - absurd, really. The birds seem unbothered by us - presumably used to our comings and goings. It's quite exciting, really - and of course rather late in the season. I hope the kid makes it. I shall be keeping a weather eye open for Albertz* from next door.
*Actually a female cat, named by the footie fans before they ascertained its gender. It has much to live down.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)