Remember how Mother Robin decided to nest on Milo’s window sill? Well, the happenings of these last few weeks have been engaging and tender for me to witness. I have learned a lot from Mother Robin. She’s caused me some reflection. She is a stalwart example of a dedicated mom.
Ever since her bright blue eggs were laid in the nest, she has been an almost constant companion to them. I’ve been amazed to see how through wind, rain, heat and cold she has buried her belly down in her grass home and snuggled up with the nestlings.
The only time I see her leave is when my shutter startles her.
One morning I peeked through the blinds and saw three baby birds and one lonely egg. I worried all day that that poor fourth egg (which was laid a day later than the other three) was a dud. How sad would that have been?
You can imagine my elation when, the next morning, the little runt had broken free and all four appeared to be alive and well, if only a little naked and scrawny!
Oh how fun to see the baby birds dependence on their sweet mother. Since their hatch, she has gathered worms several times a day to plump them up. I love this shot of one of the fledglings awaiting his next meal, beak wide and ready (unlike my fledgling at young age!)
Mother Robin does not disappoint. I am always fascinated to see her return to the nest with worms hanging from her beak. Robins do really eat worms!! Who knew? I would like to find out where she gets them and how she knows to look there!
Today was the first time I also saw Mister Robin helping with the feeding. His black head and slim chest give him away as the papa. Isn’t he handsome? Because of my camera, both hopped around in the tree, beaks full to overflowing, apprehensive to land so close to the window. Of course, as soon as I closed the blinds and left the room Dave whispered that they were now feeding the birds.
So, I ran to the porch just in time to catch a fleshy worm transfer from Dad to Baby.
Can you believe how fascinating? This is the life of a robin, fly around all day looking for food for your babies. Then back to the nest, wait for the nosey human to leave, hurry and feed a fledgling, then off to find more for the others.
Somehow, all four birds are being fed, growing, gaining feathers, opening their eyes and will soon be taking flight, I’m afraid. From my research I expect they will leave sometime next week, and Milo, Dave and I will be empty-nesters. Literally.
The nest is full today, however.
And sweet Mother Robin sits, endlessly, unconcerned with everything in the world except for her brood. That is what I love so much about watching her. Her whole life is her nest, her babies, her family. There is no bustle of agenda or schedule. No conflicts of priority or projects. Mother Robin is the kind of mother I am striving to be. One who sees clearly and and loves wholly her infinitely important role as, simply, a mother.
