Normally this would be about our family, but this one will be about the neighbors.

Since school has been out, and we’ve been holed up at home, and we’ve been keeping an eye on our surroundings. One morning, while sitting out on the front porch, Beth and I noticed that two robins had started building a nest, right in the nearest maple tree, for perfect viewing. Topher was pretty excited to see how things might shape up, and we watched from start to finish.

I wish I had more photos of the initial phases, but you just don’t realize how invested you’ll be when something new starts out. The initial phases were interesting from the stand point of watching how the mom and dad robin took turns sitting on the eggs and then foraging. They had defended off a bunch of other interested parties, as cowbirds were interested in kicking out a couple of eggs to let the robins do the work for them. Mom and dad robin were on guard, and thankfully that never happened.

Eventually we got to the point where little beaks were poking up out of the nests upon mom and dad’s arrival. That was an exciting step for all observers. It looked like three little bodies were crammed into that nest over time and everyone was fairly well established.

After a while you sort of forget that you’re watching something develop until the next phase unfolds. That was today. While sitting out on the front porch, this goofy looking little bird was hopping around the front stoop. I couldn’t identify it at first, but soon realized that it was one of our fledglings that had just jumped out of the nest! I took an awful cellphone photo and then realized I wanted something better, so I went digging around for our nicer cameras. I told Topher what was going on, and by the time he arrived, our stoop fledgling had hopped off to somewhere new.

Then, I spotted fledgling #2 up on a branch in the tree and pointed him out to Topher. The foliage wasn’t providing any really nice shots so we just watched him for a minute. It eventually made and attempt to another branch, but came tumbling down to the lowest branch on the tree. It gathered its wits for a moment before making another attempt that ultimately found him stranded on the ground. I decided I would try to get a couple shots of it, but mom and dad were not so pleased and this little bird was pretty alert. I didn’t press my luck since I didn’t want to stress the little fellow out. It eventually hopped up the backyard never to be seen again, though mom and dad were keeping an eye on things.

I noticed #3 on deck and looking truly majestic. Finally, a real shot.

Unfortunately I wasn’t around to see him make the leap of faith since school work was underway and help was required. All in all, all three looked really healthy and I think mom and dad did a fine job. They’ve been pretty swell neighbors and we’re sorry to see them go. God speed little robins!