I wanted one of the stepladders leaning against the back of the house earlier today, but I didn't notice until it was in my face that a robin has built a nest -- and filled it -- on the top step of one of the ladders. (Luckily not the one I wanted.) Mama came exploding out of there and nearly scared me witless! But I snapped a closeup shot I'll share with you. The fuzzy newborns are just sorta in a pile there, but if you look closely, you can see the last one just beginning to peck his way through his shell.

Ah the joy of new life.. Just a few years ago my family got to watch birds hatch on Mother's Day. That was ultra cool.

Very cool, Robins are one of my favorite birds.

awww.... so helpless thus so precious!

Excellent pictures Tbone...you will have to post updates here for us. :)

Quote from: Solars Toy on May 04, 2011, 06:32:19 PM
Excellent pictures Tbone...you will have to post updates here for us. :)

I intend to! But be warned... my nearest neighbor is fond of cats. She's not terribly fond of feeding her cats, which helps to keep the mouse population under control here at the Tbone ranchero, but it's also sometimes hard on the populations of birds and rabbits. Last year, another robin built what I thought was a marvelously well-concealed nest in our grape arbor, but neither babies nor mother escaped feline attention.

However, I'm proud to report that the latecomer made it out of his blue prison, and this morning the sleepy brood looks like this:



There are four altogether. The large dark spot on the one at the right is an eye, believe it or not. Walking out there spooked Mama off the nest to allow this shot. She's probably back by now. Things got kinda chilly here last night -- down around 35 deg. -- and keeping them warm was her priority.

Lay a sheet of plywood against the ladder, maybe that will discourage the cats from venturing up the ladder?

Progress! Beaks are forming and wings have sprouted out of nowhere and eyes are starting to look like... eyes. Still a lot of naked skin, but Mama has been extremely attentive. The cold weather here hasn't hurt the kids a bit. The photo is less than an hour old. Take a look...

Thank you Tbone I am really loving these pictures.  :) :)

Awwww, they even have your eyes T. ;)

Wait!!!! Your eyes? :o

Quote from: Solar on May 07, 2011, 04:54:31 PM
Awwww, they even have your eyes T. ;)

Wait!!!! Your eyes? :o

Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.  ;)

Today's photo... All four of 'em seem to be doing fine, keeping Mama busy hunting worms and such. Haven't seen any cats around... so far, so good! More definition in heads and beaks, MUCH more definition in wings and feather roots. Still bald and ugly... but so was I at that age!  :P :P :P

Finally, a shot that shows all four of 'em! Mama was of course bitching me out while I was taking these. Note the foot/toe formation taking place right in the middle of the second shot.

WOW!!! How fast they grow! The nest is filling up fast!

Very awesome, Tbone. Thank you for sharing.  :)

oh my this is awesome..... thanks for posting them.  Sure hope the cats dont get em.    Cant wait to see them grow, I love stuff like this...
:)