The Robins Are Back!

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For the third time, these robins have returned, bringing back the old excitement to the boring plum tree in my backyard. The last time was two years ago in the late spring of 2010 and the first was in the early summer, two years earlier. I have gotten so attached to these birds. The reappearance of the nest in the branches evokes a sentimental sense of home-coming. I am truly happy to see them back!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, these birds have reclaimed their rightful spot. In the last three weeks, my visitors from the wild have been recreating the joy they have embedded in the old plum tree. From tiny teal-blue eggs to fully feathered robins, they are repeating the wonderful cycle of life.

Through my kitchen and bedroom windows, I watch the mommy robin and the daddy robin take turns in hunting for food, feeding, nurturing and protecting the babies. Just like passing the baton, one lands, the other takes off. I can sit for long hours just gazing at them as they demonstrate their great parenting skills. The view is just spectacular! These God’s beautiful creations surely brighten my day. This is definitely another season to remember.

The return of the robins has given me another chance to document their nesting behaviour. This time, I have included a stationary video camera to capture the actions as I shoot the stills. I don’t pretend to be a National Geographic photographer, but this rare opportunity is the closest I can get to emulate the images in the popular nature magazine that have always inspired me. The four photos ( eggs, mother robin hatching the eggs, hatchlings and the juvenile robins) below the top photo are shots from 2010.  All the rest are most recent shots, just taken this week.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the juvenile robins are well-formed and able to fly, the familiar feeling of sadness will sink in, I will hear the sound of wings, flapping away from the old plum tree. There will be no more chirpings. There will be no more robins …just an empty nest!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is the three-minute video version of this photo blog. It is nice to show them in action. Enjoy the show!

 

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