Five days old

Carolina wren babies five days old. These little guys had their mouths open every time we got near the nest.

Sweet wren babies

These are two day old Carolina wren babies.

Wren afros

We have two pairs of Carolina wrens that nest on anything we put out for them. We had three broods this year. The parents are so used to us, they barely care if we are near the nest.

Filled with wonder

We saw this little guy at the Wacissa River. It was really fascinated with us and everything else. When a boat would go by and make waves in the water, the baby would move it’s head in a wave rhythm with the water.

Whatcha doing down there?

A Mother’s Love

This nest was built many years ago during the off season over a small campground along the Susquehanna River. The adults have successfully fledged 2-3 eaglets per year for many years despite the return of the humans each spring. This photo was taken the first day the eaglets popped their heads up high enough to be seen.

Cutest Babies in Their Parents’ Eyes

Great Egret babies looking cute in their downy feathers

Funny Phoebe Babies

Every year a pair of Phoebes build a nest on one of our front porch support posts. We love to monitor the progress of the nest, see if there are four or five eggs, then watch all the hard work of Mom and Dad feeding their young. They keep us entertained! It is bittersweet to watch them fledge.

New hummingbird nestlings snuggled up together.

New hummingbird nestlings snuggled up together in one of several humming bird nest in our yard this season.

Baby hummingbird fledglings.

One of several active hummingbird nests in our back yard.

great horned owlet with parent

This photo was taken about 1 block from the nest in April of this year.

Eastern Bluebird Baby

Mockingbird Babies

These precious babies were a week old here. The family had a nest in a small tree right by our house. I had the privilege of photographing them once a day.

Feed Me!

Crowded Nest

13 Wood ducklings on a log with mom.

This is actually a family of 16 ducklings, 3 were camera shy. When I first noticed this family, they had recently hatched and I couldn’t believe how many she had. They disappeared for some time, having apparently moved to another part of the pond. This photo was the first time I saw them since they were so young and she still had all 16.

Baby Robins

I came across the nest while out birdwatching they had just hatched not to long ago.

Little Mockingbird fledgling

White-eyed Vireo nest

When I first saw this beautifully constructed nest, it had three small eggs in it. When they hatched, I noticed that one of the chicks was considerably larger than the other two. This made me wonder if the larger one was an intruder. A few days later, as I was checking on the nest, I saw that the two smaller chicks were gone! I still have no idea what happened to them. About a week later, I took this photo of the lonesome White Eyed Vireo fledgling preparing for her first flight.

Hoobaby Spreading Wings

Hoobaby spent several days rocking back and forth spreading her wings and circling her neck round and round. Wish I could submit videos:). This photo was taken a day before she finally flew a bit. I was so proud of her because I knew what it took for her to get her nerve up after watching her struggle looking down:). She also spread her wings like this after a rain. She is not a fan of the rain at all. Thus, the owl house I just finished building. I do hope she will use it. I even wrote a Bible verse for her inside her house thanking her for making me be still. I never sit and relax. I spent countless hours mesmerized by this sweet Hoobaby:). No doubt, God sent her to me to enjoy and watch while being still. His glory is amazing!

Hoobaby and I bonded:)

Hoobaby and I spent many hours looking at each other when I was home with bronchitis for 4 wks. I was so thankful to have had the opportunity to just watch her and learn. Hoobaby would hide or eventually fly when anyone else came outside. However, Hoobaby would just look at me no matter what I did on the deck. She even turned around and looked at me every time she did something new. It seemed as though she was making sure I saw her. Wish we could submit videos! I am in love with this Hoobaby!

Eastern bluebird fledglings from 2nd brood

Two of the eastern bluebird siblings from the second brood this Spring watching mama build her third nest.

The Lookout

We discovered this nest on our front porch when mom and dad house finch were chirping nervously nearby as we rocked in our rocking chairs. I checked on them one nice warm spring afternoon and caught the bunch in a pile of warm snuggles. While brothers and sisters snoozed, this one watchful chick looked at me with a face I often see when my 5 year olds wake up and beg for 5 more minutes of sleep.

Catchin’ a Ride

We were camping in the Boundary Water Canoe Area when mom led these little guys out of the forest and into the water. There was quite a fight to ride on mom’s back!

Snoozin’ Baby Blues

Ducklings on a Log

Poised

The thrush parents built this nest under a perfect canopy of tangled vines.

Bright-Eyed Nestling

I found this nest after noticing Mrs. Hummer fly to the exact same spot in a tree several times. She already had two eggs in the nest and we were thrilled to watch the young hummingbirds hatch, grow, and leave the nest.

Newly Hatched Robins

A robin built her nest under the eaves of our cottage deck. This is a quick peak at the three newly hatched babies through the slats of the deck.

Hang on, little fledgling!

Carolina wren fledges

A Recently Hatched Nazca Booby

Fledgling Northern Cardinal

Just Relaxing

Saved this little baby from the road❤️

Squawking kid

The Mourning Doves hanging out with the little ones. Notice the one parent with their eyes closed. Probably thinking ” Quiet already kid” ???

The Outside World

This baby barn swallow was the first of the five nestlings to take a look at the world outside. I am sure that he/she wasn´t expected me to catch the moment. Good luck birdy!

American Kestrel Chicks in Nestbox

3 1/2 week old American Kestrel chicks in a nestbox attached to our house. The nest overlooks a wetland and fields. Five total chicks hatched, and they have all left the nest as of today. The parents provided a daily diet of mice.

Waiting for Mom

Eastern King Birds in nest, a willow hangs over the lake and the Eastern King Bird makes her nest there

The cutest little Great Horned Owlets

I was thrilled to watch these amazing Great Horned Owlets over a period of time. It was exciting watching them safe in the nest in a tree trunk, branching and eventually fledging. So glad I was able to photograph them, and have pictures to share. There were three babies that all fledged successfully. These babies were adorable, and their father was handsome, but their mother was absolutely stunning.

Mallard Ducklings

Just left the nest

One and Only Adorable Bluebird

I was thrilled to see an Eastern Bluebird pair begin nest building in a log bird house in our yard. Five eggs and only two hatchlings later, I noticed that the female had disappeared. The father continued to feed the two nestlings, and the nest box was left empty when the young grew old enough to fledge.
One of them, knowing instinctively where it would be hidden, flew into the dense shrubbery ten feet from the box. Fortunately for me, those shrubs were also right in front of a window and I was able to photograph this youngster during its first day out of the box.
Weeks later, I still saw Mister Bluebird flying about and caring for one of the babies. Much is still a mystery, though. Why did only two eggs hatch? What happened to the mother and later to the second nestling? Even though I don’t know the answers, I’m glad I had the opportunity to observe the nesting cycle of the beautiful Eastern Bluebird.

Chirp, Chirp

My front porch as hosted 3 robin broods for a total of 13 successful hatches this season. Here are a couple of the second batch. The nest is in a tiny decorative tin on a shelf by my front door. Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me!

Baby House Wren

Hungry.

A family of Western Blue Birds (2 parents 4 chicks) in my neighborhood. Parents are very busy bringing worms all day long.

Hello there!

With momma goose standing watch behind them, her 21 day old baby goslings came to greet me and stood on this little ledge and greeted me with their sweet little trilling sounds. The little one on the right I named him Tiny. I’m within 6 inches of them. This happened on a daily basis every time I went to see them. I would feed them a little bit of cracked corn but that wasn’t the reason they came up to me. We had a special bond especially one that I established with the adults last summer. They have a great memory and are so lovable. However, if anyone else tried to approach them they would run away and then return to me when they were gone. I felt like Mother Goose sometimes…they’d follow me around the cemetery in Mystic by their pond. This is my favorite photo of them. To be able to gently pet them showed such trust. Unfortunately, due to the man who took care of this large cemetery and a complaint from a non-bird person, and during molting season when not even the adults could fly yet, he set off loud firecrackers (like M80s) and chased them with air horns. They were almost 2 months old. They fled to the Mystic River but every time they tried to come back to their summer pond of over 13 years, he chased them again. 21 baby goslings and their parents were ousted from their home and it broke my heart. Look at these beautiful creatures. They were so happy to be where they loved and then were forced out into the scary world amongst some people who really dislike the Canada goose. These birds get such a bad rap and it’s unfair because people don’t want to be educated, instead they want to dispose of them. One way the CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection proposes removing them is to trap them when they don’t have their flight feathers and to “humanely break their necks” and as mentioned on the news once to “feed them to the homeless.” Let’s help protect our wildlife. We share this world with them too.

The view is nice up here

A young bluebird is enjoying the view.

Tired Little Loon

Only two days old, this little loon is getting a ride on his parent’s back.

Aahh..bath time!!

A young Thrasher taking a vigorous splash on a hot summer day!!

Footloose and free

Baby Robin navigating the backyard…not far from mother..

Baby Pigeon

Under the care of Flying for the Earth, these Rock Dove babies came and assisted us at an open house to share nature with at-risk youth and children with disabilities. Who says there is no such thing as an ugly baby. Initially I thought they were baby vultures.

Not Ready For Take Off!

What’s not to love about a bunch of baby goslings so excited to see you when you visit? Here’s another family of goslings–20 days old. They were all born around May 5. Despite what people think, Canada Geese are not disease carrying birds, they don’t attack unless you walk to fast or aggressively approach them or appear to be a real threat to them–the parents are very, very protective. Humans can learn a lot of family values from these birds. In the entire year that I’ve walked amongst the geese not once have they ever tried to attack or hurt me. As I was driving through looking for them, the minute they saw my car they came running. Here are 5 of the baby goslings so excited to see me. They surround me and even let me pet them. And no, the parents didn’t mind. People who saw them with me couldn’t believe that I could get so close to them. I felt very special and this entire experience with these beautiful creatures was magical. Again, what’s not to love about these beautiful babies. Here they are attempting to use their mini wings. It was cute to see them flap their little wings and hop trying to fly. And it’s a photographers dream to capture photos like this. They loved getting their photos taken and really liked when I used the GoPro video around them.

Goslings First Baby Photo!

4 families of Canada geese had their babies near the pond at the Elms Grove Cemetery…this was one family of six super cute baby goslings only a few days old cuddling up to one another to keep warm and take a little nap. Momma Goose was sitting nearby and Papa Goose was standing guard watching for predators. After spending so much time with them, they allowed me to get very close to their babies. They are the cutest things…and I love the face of the little one on the right! What’s not to love about these babies?

“Mom, tell him to stop biting me!”

One week old Canada goslings. Last year I was around a family of Canada Geese and their baby goslings. I went to see them a lot while they were growing up at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic CT where they were born and so were their generations of other family Canada geese. In that time, I became very close with them and they accepted me as one of their own. Fond memories of watching them grow and being accepted into their world as a trusted friend. So this year the parents, who I knew from last year, had their goslings near the pond and each family brought their new babies to see me. When I say I was up close and personal with them, I was. It was a magical special moment to be part of in their very private world. I took extra care in allowing them and me to get close to each other. After a day, whenever they saw me and my car, the whole family would run to me. Canada geese are not these mean birds. They are very misunderstood, but I’ve spent enough time observing and researching their lifestyles and behaviors and they are very loving, funny, intelligent, very family oriented bunch. The parents are very, very protective of their babies. They allowed me to get close into their world and I love them dearly. Here’s two of the babies a few days old.

Looking out at the world

Baby titmouse peeking out the world, the next day it had left the nest.

I’M A BEGGAR

I watched as the gallinules had to leave their home due to development and their pond was being filled in to make room for more apartments. When they appeared on the little pond close to the former pond, I figured they would start nesting sooner or later. I saw the nesting material being gathered and watched as the one parent patrolled outside keeping a vigilant eye on any one or thing who approached. I was very fortunate to be witness to the first time exit of the family from the well-hidden nest (and I might add got chased for the pleasure by the feisty parents). Having never seen the babies of this species, I was surprised to see their orange helmets and spurs. But it was truly worth all the trips by the pond to see the little ones grow and am happy to report that ALL SIX of the little ones are still alive which is amazing since I’ve watched baby mallards and wood ducks disappear until only one or two were left to mature.

What’s Up?

I’ve been watching our local eagle nest for 2 years. Watched last year as the nesting began til the babies reached maturity and took to the skies. This year I was fortunate to receive a Tamron 600mm lens for Christmas which made the watching and photographing much easier (last year I only had a 300mm). My first picture of the parent on the nest was on December 24th and I watched faithfully throughout the period,trying to guess when the eggs were no longer just eggs but babies. Since I could only guess when they actually hatched (no remote cameras here), I watched til I got lucky enough to see parents bringing food and before long, heads appeared. This picture was taken on March 3 and the babies (2) were quite large by then. This pose just struck a funny bone on me as baby appears to be saying “What’s Up with you?”.

So Hungry I Could Eat Anything

My first year that I visited Magnolia Audubon Swamp during the mating/nesting season and was lucky enough to pick a time that the baby Great Blue Herons were just beginning to poke their heads up out of the nests.

baby birds

Got ya!

As little family passed by, this little one was all by him self. But lunch is there. So no worry!

can you hear me now?

baby bird on a wire with parent [ house finch].

Beautiful baby!

Watched this beauty from the beginning. One egg in the nest, then two, three and four. Watched each egg hatch! Watched wach baby develop. Amazing experience for me and my nine year old daughter! Documented every step of the way. An experience we will never forget!

Look at me!

Juvenile night herons catching the warmth of the afternoon sun high up in a pine tree.

mourning dove year 2

High Heels

This sweet baby Killdeer was doing her best, albeit clumsily, to keep up with her Mommy as they crossed the street behind my home.

New World

Newly fledged Eastern Bluebird seeing the whole wide world for the first time.

Cooper’s Hawk Fledglings

It was fascinating to watch these Cooper’s Hawk fledglings sit up when I walked by their nest. I’m not sure who was more intrigued.

Backyard Bluebirds

Newly fledged bluebird with mom and dad

peeping out

Season after season Tree swallows raise their babies up in the vent, on the outer wall of the kitchen several feet above the ground. When I got to see the bird parents flying in and out of the vent I knew that they were building a nest there. I took photos in mornings, mid day and the evenings. Tree swallows are the swiftest birds, I have ever seen. Not easy to photograph. With my camera with telephoto lens mounted on a tripod, I took photos. Devout parents take turn to incubate and feed. Two cute little babies are peeping out to take a good look of the world outside while waiting for their parents’ visit

Not So Cute Anymore

Four Great Blue Heron siblings vying to see who will take off first.

Baby Starlings

A few years ago we had a tree cut down that was dying and was too close to the house but we made sure about 12 feet of the trunk remained for the birds. This year we had a starling family nest in a tree hole a flicker had excavated.

Like Mother Like Chick

Great Horned Owl baby and mother checking out the photographer

Fledgling Carolina wren begging

Visiting friends this spring in Louisville, I spied some fledgling Carolina wrens begging. Happily, I had my camera along, and captured this adorable baby. I was happy to get this because Carolina wrens are my sister’s favorites.

Fuzzy face

Barred owlet peeks from nesting cavity concealed high in a maple tree.

Brown-headed Cowbird

Unfortunately we had a Brown-headed Cowbird to lay her egg in our Prothonotary Warbler nest box.The warblers have renested and we will keep checking those eggs to make sure it does not happen again.

Puzzled

A Burrowing Owlet (Athene cunicularia) checks me and my camera out. This little guy kept popping in and out of burrow like a sock puppet!

Baby robins

3 baby Robins were sitting snugly and patiently while mom was getting them lunch.

Calliope Hummingbird nestlings

This photo was taken the day before the nestlings fledged.

Red tail Hawk on Nest

The thrilling experience of seeing the red tail hawk eyas stand and spread their wings on the nest as they grow.Photo taken at the local library on the third floor through a window with no disturbance to the nest.

Triplet Great Horned Owls

Triplet Great Horned Owls on a rainy day not long before the fledged.

Waiting for food

Photo taken at the St Augustine Alligator Farm bird rookery where hundreds of birds nest virtually above and next to the boardwalk.

Baby Red Winged Blackbird clinging to cattail.

Little Wings

A Black Skimmer Chick which had recently hatched was showing off those Little Wings.

Male Cardinal Fledgling

Mom & Dad Cardinal live in my yard and this is one of their fledglings. This was the first time I had seen the fledgling come to the feeder without Mom.

smug little baby

Season after season Tree swallows raise their babies up in the vent, on the outer wall, several feet above the ground. With ruptured tendons in my legs I cannot climb up a ladder. When I got to see the bird parents flying in and out the vent I knew that they were building a nest there. I took photos in mornings, mid day and the evenings. Tree swallows are the swiftest birds, I have ever seen. Not easy to photograph. With my camera with telephoto lens mounted on a tripod, I took photos of the parents, babies with their mouths open to be fed and also when the bird babies flew away from the nest. Devout parents take turn to incubate and feed. This a is a fully developed baby, first day outside the nest. It took some time and deep breaths before fledging. Does he (She?) not look cute?

Mocking(bird) Laundry

Our rescue fledgling surprised me when I saw him sitting on a load of laundry, fortunately already dirty laundry.

Molting Magic

Little Dinosaur

At Gatorland in Orlando, the Great Egrets nest right next to the boardwalks. This nest was less than 10 feet from an almost constant stream of curious tourists.

Red tail Hawk

Photo was taken from the third floor window of the public library through the window.Nest was in a pine tree and could be viewed and take photograph without disturbance to the nest.My photo is of three red tail eyas on the nest.

A New Dawn

I have been photographing this family of Burrowing Owls for a couple of years, so the parents are very tolerant of my presence. They go about their daily routines — hunting, feeding and grooming the chicks — totally oblivious of my presence. On this day, the sun had just peaked above a distant mountain and bathed the owls in glorious warm red glow. The rising sun in the chick’s eyes promised a new dawn and a new life for the family.

Rocket Phoebe

Orchard Oriole

Scissortail family

Where’s my breakfast!!

Right after fledging in the morning, unable to fly well yet, this little gal was very impatiently waiting for Mom or Dad to bring food!

Scrappy

This little guy fledged early. He was covered in bird poop and his little wings were too small to fly. The parents were feeding, but I never knew if he made it or not.

Baby Warbler Gazing

A pair of yellow warblers built their nest in a red elderberry bush right outside my kitchen window. This was their last day in the nest. This baby and I gazed into each other’s eyes through the window.

Where’s Mom?

I discovered this tufted titmouse and its two siblings in a tree in Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem. They were waiting not-so-patiently to be fed by Mom and Dad. I like that you can see the emerging feather tufts on its head in this photo. Fortunately this young one did not have long to wait before Mom or Dad arrived with supper!

My bodyguard

First day of fledging , this little one couldn’t fly well yet. The highest she could get was up on this wooden duck!

Last To Fly…

This Chickadee peep was the last member of its brood to leave the nest…it seems to have a somewhat forlorn look on its face, as if it might miss all the warm snuggle factor, and company, of its siblings…

Ma and Pa did just fine keeping the last of the brood well-fed until it decided to make its leap of faith…

Baby Blue

This was the first nest of Bluebirds we have ever had at this house. The nest box had sparrows in it 6 or 7 years ago and nothing since. We were all so excited to have Bluebirds! I found an egg on the ground and this little one and the two older ones. This was the last time i saw this little one, though. He was so much smaller than his siblings and I was so afraid he would not make it.

This picture was taken on about the 12th day? The others grew so fast and this little one just couldn’t keep up i guess. I am so glad I have this picture of Little Baby Blue. I love it. The look on his face is priceless to me.

Baby Eastern Bluebird right out of the nest

This baby Eastern Bluebird stopped on top of one of our bird food holders and posed for a photo.