Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Catbirds


With pruning long overdue, I set to work cutting my flowering quince back to a manageable size.  While working by way around the bush I noticed a nest woven between two branches.  When I pulled the branches down to head height I was greeted by three little birds crouched in the nest.   Leaving these branches uncut left the bush looking strange to say the least but with young gray catbirds in the nest it was the right thing to do.

While gathering the prunings the adults returned resuming feeding of the voracious babies.  Seeing a photo opportunity I retrieved the camera and set to work making images.


Hand holding and shooting from a step ladder gave me this bird's eye view of the ravenous youngster hoping for its next meal.

The growth rate of young birds is phenomenal and in just a few days these little guys were gone, allowing me to finish trimming the bush. 

8 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

What a little cutie.These birds are lucky to have nested at your place.They might not have fared so well at some places,

Reena said...

Love those guys and a great photo! Feed me feed me!

Montanagirl said...

Great job! I've got Catbirds, and see them carrying off suet and grape jelly, so I know they've got babies near by. Your last photo is just terrific.

Kjell T. Evensen said...

Great shots! You caught them at just the right time. Around our place the baby robins are chasing their Moms around with their mouths open expecting to be fed. Just like some people kids, huh!

Elaine said...

What a delightful surprise for you! I find it's sometimes very hard to get any work done in the yard because of the things that pop up crying to be photographed. Love that shot of the wide-open mouth!

Arija said...

Great captures and to thing you would have missed them if something had not sent you out to trim the bush.

I do the same thing many a time, I just don't get any photos of the birds.

FAB said...

A very hungry little tyke!

Ken Conger Photography said...

The last shot is killer. You never know what you can find in your own back yard. Thx for sharing. Blue Skies.