(This photo thanks to our friend Cassie, before the eggs were hatched.) I have not dared to take a picture myself, fearing that she might get skittish. But I did get a peek into the nest and saw these two very tiny little creatures, no bigger than--and about the same color as--a refried bean. Strangely, there is no trace of remnant eggshells. Does the mother eat them? Anyone out there know more about hummingbirds than I do? I'd love to hear. Though I guess I could look it up online...
I may try to get Cassie over for a postpartum picture at the weekend. It's a great thrill, to be surrogate grandparents of these two new living beings on the planet. We feel quite responsible for their well-being. May they live out their life-span happily, free from trouble and adversity.
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6 comments:
What a wonderful thing to be able to observe. Soon they will be peeking their little heads up and waiting for the adults to come with food. Very exciting!
We're trying to be watchful without being intrusive!
How very lovely! All new life is beautiful and exciting, full of wonder and possibility. And hummingbirds are especially delightful to have in such near proximity. They must have felt safe and loved to nest there.
Thanks for that lovely thought. I think there's truth to it, because we always take such delight in their presence here...
Keep a look out for ants. We had a pair of tiny hummingbirds in a nest just like that in a myrtle tree near our back door. Without warning one day the nest was in tatters and swarmed by ants. To our horror, the chicks had been eaten alive.
That's a horror story, Anon. Thanks for the warning, but I think our nest, while not inaccessible to ants--is there such a place?--is at least not a likely spot for them to discover.
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