Oh Phoebe!
Helen looks cozy in the nest...
(yes, now that I named them I think of them that way..what? is that weird?)
Perhaps she is Phoebe O'Feather, since she took off on St. Patrick's day!

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Phoebe O'Feather -- heeee! I love that!

Your names weren't selected, but we thought they were wonderful, nonetheless.

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Goodbye, little one!

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I think I saw him flitting in the trees yesterday afternoon. Either that, or I was seeing his mom and dad.

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Awww...it's hard to let them go, I'll bet! They're so cute. Thanks for sharing their journey with us.

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It certainly is, although it's time for them to make their way in the world. Kinda like sending kids of to college, you know?

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NOOOOOOOOOO! They grew up too fast! I just blinked and all of a sudden they are leaving the nest.

Now I feel like crying too!

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I thought of you and your darling little girl...some parallels with her going off to school, no?

*hands you a Kleenex, and takes another for herself*

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I've really loved watching your birds grow up! I'm glad this turned out better than the "eggs in the grill" incident I had a few years ago!

http://kidlit-kim.livejournal.com/47920.html

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Ha! I'd forgotten all about that incident. And you're right: it's great that this is having a happy ending/beginning.

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Ohhhhh ....

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I couldn't have said it better.

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I'm so glad she could say goodbye to her good friend, Melodye.

I wish you well, little bird. Have a glorious life.

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I know it sounds kind of silly, but I was really glad I got to see him/her fly for the first time. I would have felt kind of cheated if the baby flew off without one last goodbye. I'm such a sap.

"Have a glorious life." What a wonderful wish!

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Squeak sat in her little nest
and poked her sister Squawk
I think, she said, that we should have
a sister-sister talk.
If we don't fly I'm just afraid
that one of us will smother
And, Lordy, that will disappoint
our helicopter-mother.

Fly safe, little birdies ~

Edited at 2008-03-17 10:42 pm (UTC)

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This poem is so, so perfect! There are a couple of comments about it in my next post. :)

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ooooh! I have so loved following along here! Gorgeous hummingbirds! Thanks for sharing!

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Thank YOU for joining the fun!

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Goodbye, little one! Aren't they gorgeous?

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They are, indeed. :)

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*That* took my breath away.
I'll just grab one of these fluffy tissues here....

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Here, have another.

*Grabs another Kleenex for herself*

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Ooooh! It does kind of feel like they're your own bird-babies leaving, doesn't it? Gets me a bit weepy, too...(sniff). I'm so glad you shared their little nursery with us!

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It definitely does.

Thanks for watching them grow up with me. It's been such a treat to be able to share this miracle.

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Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing!

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I'm so glad you've enjoyed them...it's been so much fun to play show-and-tell!

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My kid and I both like these pics. How awesome!

Put out a hummingbird feeder (if you haven't already) close to where they are and see if they stick around!

One time when I was working in the garden, I was wearing gloves with a big red stripe on them. A ruby-throated hummingbird came over and buzzed around my gloves and poked his bill on them a couple of times before he figured out there was no food there. So maybe you should wear red in the garden!

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Oooh, that was a magical moment, wasn't it? Hummingbirds are so persistent!

I put out a feeder last week. I hope it encourages them to stay.

Thanks for sharing the adventure with me. :)

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Oh yes! Must get a feeder. I can't believe how amazing your pics are.

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I've got a bird feeder hung on my patio, around the corner from the tree. Dave (from Wild Birds Unlimited) warned against putting it too close to the nest, which would encourage other hummingbirds to invade the area and scare away the mama.

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B-but... They'll come back to visit, right? *sniff*

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I saw one flying in a nearby grapefruit tree yesterday afternoon. I like to think its that bird. Dave (from Wild Birds Unlimited) said it's likely they'll hang around for at least a little while.

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::hugs::
They grow up waaaaaay too fast!!!
our babies are getting feathers....

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Oooh, how cool is that! Are they Costa's, do you know?

Your baby's getting big now, too, I'll bet. I'm looking forward to hearing more about him/her!

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Fly away home, free bird... Go sing your song, oh lovely hummingbird..

I think I am supposed to feel happy
but I'm not

One left home
It depresses me
to think you may never see her again
and if you don't
we won't

Oh how I love the photos
HOW did you get those?
They are gorgeous
And how did you post them here with the rapid turn-around you did?!

I want to be rational and maternal. I know kids leave.
But we don't have to LIKE it.
Do we? {}

-Pamela

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I know...it's like a child that eventually has to make its way in the world. It's definitely not easy to let go. I know you already know this, down to your core. And no, we don't have to like it. But we have to accept it. Sigh.

Actually, my picture-taking set-up is fairly primitive. I've set up a tall ladder next to the tree. I climb to the highest rung, lean forward as far as I can, and snap the pictures with my Nikon CoolPix (on the macro setting). No special equipment, no photographic training. Just a love for those babies that I want to document for their baby "album." :)

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What an amazing journey. Thanks for sharing all of this with us...

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It's been such a miraculous experience. I can't begin to say how much fun it's been to share it...so thank YOU for coming by for show-and-tell. :)

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awww, that is beautiful.

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Oh, I'm glad you stopped by to join the going-away party! Come back again anytime.

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I've watched them grow and loved these daily posts! I'm choked up! sigh.

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I'm still choked up. I keep checking in on the one remaining bird, appreciating it for as long as it's willing to stay.

I'm glad you liked the posts...Thanks for sharing the journey!

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Bye, bye, little guys!

Okay, if you're not crying, I'll cry for you! (But I know you're putting on a brave front! Sending virtual tissues!)

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Ha! Thanks for the tissues! You know me too well. :)

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Awww. I believe you. But you've got such a wonderful baby book assembled for them!
(((hugs)))

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What a great way to look at it, Liz. Thank you! (HUGS) you back.

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Aww...her sister looks so lonely in there...she almost seems to be searching the horizon for her brave little twin.

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She does seem to like the extra room she now has. Things were getting pretty tight in that tiny nest. Plus, she gets more food, which will make her strong enough to fly on her own really soon.

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What a beautiful journey you've captured!

Of course sister bird could be thinking, "At last, some room!"

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I was just thinking that same thing (see my comment right above yours).

I'm so glad that you came by to share in the journey. :)

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