Happy Memorial Day! They're Back!

Our day began with plans to do some yard work this morning, so Bear went to get the mower and trailer from the shop. I told him I'd meet him out front at the "nesting" material on the bottom of the front step. I had left it there, thinking it would make a soft landing for the peeps if they landed on the sidewalk, but knowing they were long gone, it was time to clean it up. The next thing I knew, he was back in the house telling me to look out on the front step before I opened the door. When I did, there was one of the peeps basking in the sunshine. Upon further investigation of the steps, it looks like several, if not all of them have been back to visit! The rest were singing up in the tree. I guess it's true, you never forget where you are raised, and in your heart, I guess you never really leave! It was fun to see them back!

My Birdhouse

For Mother's Day this year, I got this cute bird house. I had seen it at our garden center and just loved it. A few years ago, I picked up these little birds, amazingly I bought 6 of them. Now I have a little family in my front room window that reminds me of the little family that used to live here! I need to find a cute nest to fit inside.

Fly with Eagles Little Peeps!

The Nest is Empty!

Metso found a branch to balance on.

What fun it has been to watch the journey of The Peeps family. Yesterday, with one last little one to fly away, part of my heart said, “Oh stay all summer, we’ll go out and find worms and grubs for you in the flower bed,” and the other part said, “Fly away, experience the big wide world out there, your journey has only just begun!” They must have heard the "fly away" part, because today the last little peep has left the nest. I think my family will be glad to have me back, focused on them again. I have been accused of being “obsessed” with these birds. The peeps got so used to me snapping pictures; I think they thought I was a member of the family. I’m just glad they decided to roost on our front porch. I guess I'll clean up the twigs and soft landing material that came out of the flower beds. I now have a deep appreciation for “the empty nest,” and I can’t help but wonder if God is preparing me for that inevitable day in the future when I’ll face my own empty nest. They say the it's the little things that bring us the greatest joy in life. These little ones sure have! I hope you've enjoyed the "birdie blog."



I love this eagle story, and each of my little robins is soaring with eagles now!

Even Eagles Need a Push
The Eagle gently coaxed her offspring toward the edge of the nest. Her heart quivered with conflicting emotions as she felt their resistance to the persistent nudging. “Why does the thrill of soaring have to begin with the fear of the fall?” she thought. This ageless question was still unanswered for her.
As in the tradition of the species, her nest was located high on the shelf of a sheer rock face. Below there was nothing but air to support the wings of each child. “Is it possible that this time it will not work?” she thought. Despite her fears, the Eagle knew it was time. Her parental mission was all but complete. There remained one final test.....the push.
The Eagle drew courage from an innate wisdom. Until her children discovered their wings, there was no purpose for their lives. Until they learned how to soar, they would fail to understand the privilege it was to have been born an Eagle. The push was the greatest gift she had to offer. It was her supreme act of love. And so one by one she pushed them and they flew!

One is the Loneliest Number that You'll Ever Do

The last little peep in the nest---I love this picture!

I'm sure Metso is wondering where everybody went.

I know she can hear them in the trees.

She gets up on her perch, then goes back down into the nest. Not quite ready to leave.

Fauntleroy and Penny keep returning, encouraging her venture out.

She puffs herself up and looks like she'll try it, but when I turned the porch light off last night, she was perched asleep, still on the nest. Maybe she just needs one more day in the nest.

3.......2......1!

Before leaving for school today, I checked in on the nest. They looked at me, as if they had a story to tell. So I watched and listened......... I wondered if there were 3 or 4 peeps in the nest? I could only see 3.

The Peeps spotted Mama Penny with a worm in her mouth.

They kept a close eye on her.

The next thing I knew she came in for a landing on the steps.

Then without warning, Forte ruffled his feathers, spread his wings and....

FLEW over my head and landed on the steps below!

When I went to get a picture of him, I noticed Crescendo on a branch in the yard!

So two peeps in the nest and two out in the big world!

I knew this stance meant Piano was getting ready for flight. She was up in the tree within seconds.

Leaving only one peep in the nest. Mandy says Metso is waiting to leave last.

We're Getting Ready to Fly this Coop!

Watching these peeps today, it's getting very close to the time when they will try out their wings. At night, they barely all fit in the nest. All you can see is four little humps on top of the nest. They have begun to venture out on the rim of the tin basket, ivy branch, etc. They spend much of the day awake and watching the world with wonder. Here are the latest photos.......

Their spotted breasts are beginning to turn red.

There's room for two up and two down in the nest. They trade off."Hey, what are you hiding under there?"
Two sleeping peeps!

Oh How I Love These Little Peeps!

Checking in on the Peeps (Forte, Metso, Piano and Crescendo--all musical terms, named by Amanda), we've got quite a strong wind blowing this morning (I'm so glad they are not in a nest in a tree). They are filled to the brim of the nest getting bigger each day. It seems they have been working on redecorating around the nest. I notice additions to "the wallpaper," a small price to pay for the joy they have brought us in being able to watch their journey! I won't even mind the clean up after they have gone.

Serious Grubs

While taking some video of the Peeps family today, I was able to see that the baby food diet of worms has been upgraded to include grasshoppers and crunchies! I never get tired of watching this little family in action. Today, I also noticed that one parent is on housekeeping duty, clearing the nest of unwanted by products, while the other continues to feed. I thought I was watching a tennis match when a fly circled around their nest. Every one of them kept a close eye on that fly as he flew back and forth. They are really stretching their wings more too. I did a bit of research on the American Robin, and found out that the peeplings will be able to fly at 2 weeks. To my calculations, that will be this week! It often takes place at night, so we may not get to see that. Check back for updates!

Sunday Breakfast

It's time for Breakfast at the nest!

"Wait.....we weren't finished yet!" The peeps are beginning to spread their wings.

These two were singing in harmony.

They are taking on personalities of their own.

Fauntleroy and Penny All in a Day's Work!

It is so fun to watch these parents with their wee peeps.

We've watched them enough to be able to tell them apart now.

Fauntleroy (waiting in the wings) is bigger than Penny, and he's got the puffy feathers on his head. Penny is more petite and has a thinner head.

There has been quite a bit of activity at the nest today. Notably the parents spend less time sitting on the nest now. The wee peeps are getting bigger, stretching their wings, but still sleeping much of the time, just like babies.

We will surely miss this little family when they fly the coop!

It's Getting Crowded in Here!

This morning the peeps have really seemed to change.

They have more of their feathers, and it's as if it happened over night!

It's a good thing because they have started "ruffling their feathers."

It probably won't be long before they try out their new wings!