Leaving the Nest

If you've read my posts this week you know we've been keeping an eye on two baby Robins. I noticed yesterday through binoculars that one of them has quite a wing span. He stood up and stretched. I knew it wouldn't be long before he few the coop. I took these photos last night around 8pm from a distance. Their nest is getting pretty crowded. It's amazing how much they've grown in just a few days.

This morning one of them did indeed take off from the nest in front of my husband. He came inside and directed me to the kitchen window. There hopping on the ground was one of our babies. Had I seen him not knowing who he was I would have though he was a young adult. His red Robin breast, his sleek wing and back feathers. Only thing different was a short tail, but that will come in quickly. He hopped looking at his new surroundings for a few moments and then flew into some birch trees nearby.

I feel both relieved and sad. It was like watching one of my own fly off. Will he find food easily, where will he sleep, is he safe? I wonder how his bird mother is feeling. Did she witness his flight too?

I went and looked through the binoculars and the second babe is still in the nest. He has more room to stretch out. I realize they might not have been so far apart in age. They grow so quickly, this bird might only be a day behind the other. It won't be long and he too will be discovering his new world.