Oh, how I LOVE these Babies....And here are some pictures of them "learning" to fly, and "flying", like this dear dear Baby above, (picture taken on May 27th...) though not such a tiny baby anymore----It's like it was halfway between babyhood and on the way to being a 'fledgling----Whereas below the babies were still quite young.....Nature, in all it's glory. I will share with you some of their growth that I captured with my Camera.
The picture above, is about three and a half weeks earlier in 'the babies' growth...Here, one of the 'babies' is flexing his wings as his siblings watch, intently---Still, in the nest..... They seem so vulnerable to me....So very dear....Watching them grow; Watching them learning to fly....What A privilege....Truly!
Then above....a little over a week later. there is this attempt to actually fly....Not really going anywhere, but on the brink of truly flying......And these attempts went on for days.....
And then, finally.....on the way.
Where? Well, not very far, but....one has to begin somewhere.....
From the nest to a nearby branch of the tree....Above, two of the three little ones are on the move......
And just a few moments later, we see one of the babies really on the move going from one branch to another......
And a few days later, as you can see below, there is much movement and flexing of wings, now on a branch of the nest-tree that was further away from the nest......
Many attempts at trying to take off......
Look at how beautiful the wings are....The feathers so very colorful when the light is right.....
The growth spurts were just amazing to watch....Here on this very same day, much later in the afternoon, the babies were now flying to the trees on my neighbors property, much closer to me.......
And here below, you can see more of the incredible growth....
Watching these birds do their thing and capturing as much as I could with the camera was just the most wonderful thing....I treasure each and everyone of the thousands of pictures I took during these weeks very exciting weeks.....And there will most definitely be.....More To Come........
- had this to say:
Oh my gosh! Those are fabulous! Maybe next year when you get a new brood, I can come with my camera and shoot some pics?! I'll bring lunch! I could spend HOURS watching them!
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 12:57:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Wow. Just wow. (I hope you got to read my story about that baby seagull that fell on a downtown Seattle ledge. It's parent coaxed it to me and co-workers and I saved it. The parent remembered me a year later!)
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 12:58:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
That first picture is so beautiful - like a giant butterfly and perfect colours.
It must be a 'heart in mouth' moment for you when they first attempt to leave the nest.- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 1:39:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!.. you have such patience to get such good photo's Naomi!!
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 3:46:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
You must have an amazing camera Naomi, these are fantastic photographs. I've always liked birds and find them fascinating creatures. How I wish I could fly too.
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 4:07:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
You are truly blessed with a great spot for observing these birds. There are scientist who spend thousands of dollars to hike into the wilderness for this sort of opportunity -- and you get it with your morning coffee!
Fabulous.
Cheers.- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 5:51:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, you have captured these young birds perfectly. The parents will continue to feed them for a while, and will gradually teach them to hunt for their own food. Meanwhile, they will perfect their new flying skills. You'll probably observe all sorts of aerobatics as they learn new moves. Many fledglings will not survive due to collisions with cliffs, buildings etc as their flying skills are so limited when they first leave the nest. But these young ones seem to be doing fine!
Great photos, keep up the good work!- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 5:57:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Beautiful bird pictures. It sounds fascinating to watch them grow and develop that way. You have had a unique vantage point which you wouldn't have enjoyed had you not been observative.
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 8:28:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I think it is wonderful how you've taken the time to really capture these babies. What fascinating creatures they are! Your photos are not only entertaining, they're educational too!
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 8:38:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
What beautiful pictures and fantastic "show"!!!
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 9:40:00 AM PDT
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Wow, Naomi! These photos are amazing, especially the first one with the baby bird's wingspan. That shot should be in a magazine!
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 1:19:00 PM PDT
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Watching them is better than TV!!
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 1:38:00 PM PDT
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They are beautiful with those lovely feathers! I have enjoyed your documenting their growing years!! I know this has been so fascinating for you to see and I'm so happy you shared it with us. Nature is always interesting and lovely!!
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 1:46:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I don't know what I can add to the previous comments. You are indeed fortunate to be able to capture these amazing sights.
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 3:16:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
thank you so much for sharing the babies with us. if we'd all just slow down and really LOOK around, we'd find so much wonder and beauty in nature around us.
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 7:37:00 PM PDT
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You seem to have a lot of birds nearby.
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 7:59:00 PM PDT
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Thank you for continuing to share your blessing with us... :)
- Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:52:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Great photos Naomi.
Can you imagine being a baby bird and learning to fly? What a scary concept. Feet off the ground... *scary*- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 1:07:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Beautiful pics Naomi. I once watched some goslings make there maiden flight from a lake here. They flew about 100 yards maybe ten yards from the ground and watching them land and fall all over themselves was hilarious.
- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 2:20:00 AM PDT
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Fantastic photos!!!!!
- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 7:49:00 AM PDT
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Naomi, here is the link to my baby bird story.
http://dj-astellarlife.blogspot.com/2008/05/coping-with-ms-i-follow-birds.html#links- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 9:08:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I never knew the human-like emotional intelligence of birds until I got my beloved Arthur. He showed me that the communication that mother (or father) seagull had with me was possible. I communicated with a Robin Red-Breast just yesterday.
- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11:14:00 AM PDT
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Thx for your nice words about my story.
- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11:16:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
what a wonderful collection of photos. to have such a perspective is a gift.
oh for the ability to take to the sky as they do...- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 12:18:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hi Naomi. What interesting and educational pics! This will be a wonderful time for me. Do have a great weekend.
- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 3:58:00 PM PDT
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Those are some mighty fine looking red tail hawks. We have a nest nearby our house right now also, and their calls are quite loud. I can't see them well enough to get a picture, but the pair has nested there for years in the same spot. Wonderful photos you have.
- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 4:15:00 PM PDT
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You can dramatize better than anyone else. It's in your blood and genes. Fabulouse.
btw. Have been mentally away for a while, but once again, I hope to recover. Hence, I've been a non-existence commentor lately. pls excuse. Hope you can enjoy our small trip Friday.- Friday, July 18, 2008 at 4:35:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Do you know how many people would just ignore this sort of thing?
I love that you love nature so much you're always ready to capture it for us with your trusty camera. Beautiful photos of precious moments.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 9:51:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
The first pic and the last pic really show the sun shining through the wings. They are great!!!
I can imagine the mama teaching them as they were practicing their flying. She probably had to show them just how to hold their wings. They had to practice in short spurts before really taking flight.
How wonderful!!- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 8:01:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Very cool. I wonder how nervous Mama Bird is when it comes time for the babies to spread their wings?
- Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 7:12:00 PM PDT
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