Hummingbird Hatchlings

stayhumble wrote in post #12325274
maybe you could build something on the tree.

It's not a tree, it's a flimsy Star Jasmine vine, and the nest was only about 4 1/2 feet off the ground to begin with.

Momma didn't pick the best foundation on which to build a home

Update 5/1

I had to leave for work before dawn, so didn't check on the young hummingbirds. My wife told me later that the one we had last seen on a low Jasmine vine had disappeared. She watched the mother visit the remaining one in the little palm tree just below the damaged nest, but she didn't frequent any other low bush or ground-cover in the area, so I figured we had lost it. I was kind of bummed all day at work.

After getting home this evening, we ate outside and watched the feeder that the mother visits. She'd tank up, feed the baby in the palm, then tank up again and fly off. After watching this cycle several times, I noticed she always flew away in the same direction; up and around the corner of the house, toward a large mesquite tree. We eventually followed, and scanned the upper branches of the tree. To our delight, we spotted the other baby hummer, holding tight to a thin twig that moves around pretty wildly with even the slightest breeze.

We watched until it began to get dark, as the mother visited it every 10-20 minutes, feeding it each time.

So, things aren't perfect, but for now, both young hummers are alive and being watched over by momma.

Amazing story! "Our" Rufous Hummingbird is still sitting on her nest to hatch ... it has been a very cool spring.

LV Moose wrote in post #12330092
So, things aren't perfect, but for now, both young hummers are alive and being watched over by momma.

Fingers and toes crossed...

I appreciate all the updates - and the care and concern you and your wife are demonstrating for these little guys. Good story, terrific photos. Looking forward to the progress reports.

thanks for the updates.

do you know why the other bird is up on the other tree?

This is AWESOME. I've found hummer nests in the garden/surrounding area after they're done using them, but never during all of this. And one of them was only about 8"-10" off the ground - never could figure that out - but it was well hidden.

Glad I stumbled across this.

Wonderful series.

Update 5/2 (22 days since the first egg hatched). See note at the bottom of this page

1. This was actually taken last evening. This is where the slightly bigger/older baby spent the night; about 12' up in a mesquite. Still there this evening, but flying from branch to branch... flying practice. Mom still feeds it regularly.

you really know your nature stuff!

and man that S95 produced the best image! love the update and good news!

Very good news! Wonderful story being told here.

Subscribing!

The saga not only continues but is well illustrated!

5/3 (day 23)

REUNITED!!!

Not the best pictures; shooting from ground-level through a lot of foliage to the top of a mesquite. But this is the first time that both fledglings (along with mom) have been together since the nest blew over several nights ago, then the near disaster of one of them flying into the pool. It was so great to see this when I got home this evening, I had to share the images.

I don't think I'll be able to relax, though, until I see them snatching bugs from the air for themselves, and drinking from a feeder. It'll be interesting to see how the mother teaches this.

1.

I'm not very active on the bird forum at the moment, due to the fact that my iMac has died and I am now working on an old Macbook (loan from the shop) with a godawful TN screen that makes colours look almost scary! So I stay away from images at the moment (nor can I do any editing), but as I am subscribed to this thread I had to come take a look again. Terrific story, terrific images. And holding my breath for those little ones. Great work, Moose!