Mama Robin

A few weeks ago, we discovered a robin had built her nest on the security light on our garage. Over the past three days, we noticed the mother making a lot of trips, back and forth from the lawn. We were certain it was to feed her young, but we couldn't see or hear any other additions in the nest. Until Saturday morning.

When I took Shandi out to pee, I looked up at the nest in time to see the mother land on the edge, with her mouth full of grubs and worms. And then I saw one, two, three tiny little yellow beaks peak up over the rim of the nest. Each mouth was blindly gaping, trying to win the lotto of who would get fed first. And I felt my heart turn to mush.

I know I have a horrible fear of birds, but watching this robin over the past few weeks has made me feel like I've been a part of something special. She doesn't swoop or squawk (how on earth do you spell that word??) at us, but she does keep a watchful eye out. She doesn't even mind when we let the cats out in the yard, but she cranes her neck so she can see them at all times. I read up on robins and found out that they feed their young 35-40 meals per day! I'm tired after only making one meal.

There's just something about watching these little beaks straining to get their food that makes me feel so happy. I've been feeling kind of low and crappy over the past three weeks and have felt like I'm climbing into a bit of a shell (I haven't had make-up on in four days...you know I feel like poo when I don't have make-up on!). But over the weekend, I spent a lot of time outside, sipping slushes, playing games on the iPod, planting my flowers, soaking up the sun and watching a new mama take care of her brood. All I can say is thank god I'm not having triplets :-)



Click each pic to enlarge...you can make out tiny yellow beaks peaking out of the nest!





If you look closely, you can see two little beaks peaking up.