I haven't seen a parent on the nest in the last 2 or 3 days, but it may be that the parents are being extra careful not to reveal the location of the nest. Yesterday I was watching the tree from about 40-50 feet away, and I saw a mourning dove sitting at the top of my neighbor's roof not far from the nest. After about 10 minutes, I thought maybe the dove was waiting for me to go away. So I walked around the far side of my house, and from my back deck, I could see that same place on my neighbor's roof -- and no dove. I got down off the deck and started walking toward the nest on the near side, and I heard that flying-up sound that mourning doves make, from the direction of the nest. And this morning I saw a pair of mourning doves loitering in my driveway in front of the garage, about 35 feet from the nest. That's as close as I have been able to confirm that the parents are still visiting the nest. I would like better assurance, since mourning doves are commonly in the area to visit under my bird feeders. I cringe to think that they are abandoned, cold, hungry, and dehydrated. But I also hestitate to interfere. - Jim

How close was I to these fledglings? As close as I can auto focus with a 300mm f/2.8 lens, which is about 8 feet. They got so used to me bringing the meal worms that they would fly right up to the feeder while I was putting them out. I have had them actually brush my arm. Of course, I don't have my camera in my hand and it wouldn't do me much good if I did, since I can't auto focus that close. I usually move to about 10 feet and fire away. They tend to ignore me. It's hard not to get a pretty shot of a bluebird, especially if it is sitting still. They are simply photogenic. I have this fancy equipment so I try to get them in action and catch them doing unusual things or get close ups that allow us to see them better than we do in real time. Their individual feathers, for example, are very beautiful, but they usually move so fast we don't get the chance to see and appreciate them. And can you imagine seeing your reflection in his eye? Here's a shot I like from a few days ago. It has a lot going on in it. It was taken when Papa was starting to chase the fledglings out of the yard. In the center is a HOSP that was trying to steal a meal worm. Papa is coming in from our position to chase the HOSP. One of the fledglings senses Papa is coming and moves to get out of the way. After he hits the HOSP, Papa continues on and chases the fledgling for good measure. Thanks for all the kind comments. Dave

That's cool that they came back at all. I'm surprised. Usually any fledglings are just about ready to take care of themselves, but I'm sure, they continue to hang out with family/relatives! That is a really neat thing about nature that most people don't usally notice. But, we who love the birds ... notice and learn! PS: I'm happy for your babies!!!! ... tweet!

This really has become the year of the thrashers. Per Donna's suggestion, I've been putting out C&S Peanut suet nuggets. I don't know if the thrashers eat it - I haven't seen it - but it's disappearing. There's plenty of other food around and insects too. My yard/garden is getting more and more overgrown so there are lots of hiding places for birds in shrubs and small trees. I'll walk by a shrub not noticing any birds and be startled by flight all around me. Good for the birds, not so good for the idea of a tidy garden. An adult has been seen brazenly foraging around most days, and yesterday I saw what I think are two juveniles calmly preening on the winterberry (the photos were taken from the kitchen window). So much for the "secretive" Brown Thrasher. Claire