June 4, 2007 1:53 pm
Roger That, We’re Go Flight
Posted by Will under animals, backyarchaeology, nature, updated
The larger of the two Anna’s hummingbird chicks has taken the big step of leaving its cramped nest to a nearby branch where it’s waiting for the right time to take wing (click to enlarge):
And sticking its tongue out a lot. It’s not every day we humans have the privilege of seeing a hummingbird’s tongue.
Safe travels little perfect bird toward a wonderful life filled with plenty of nectar and your own children to raise some day. Though I’ve only known you and your sibling for not even two days, I will miss you so when you must go.
UPDATE (5:07 p.m.): Launch aborted. Postponed perhaps until tomorrow’s daytime flight window. Pilot has returned to nest.
UPDATE (5:48 p.m.): Cancel that. The first chick is away. Repeat: The first chick is away!
June 4th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Whisperbirds are go!
(well, “thunder” didn’t seem right…)
June 4th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Amazing photos! It’s hard to believe they are no bigger than my thumb! That’s definitely one for next year’s calendar!
June 7th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Wonderful! I get a lot of them over here in my garden, but have not seen a nest, or young ones that close. Perhaps your chicks are headed across the way from your garden over to my garden!
Thanks for that! (the 5:48 update was particularly funny!)
-cvj