Sunday, August 05, 2007

The Way of the Wild




Recently I discovered a robin nesting in the dogwood tree that grows alongside my deck. I was thrilled that this would give me the opportunity to photographically document the baby’s development.






Sunday morning July 29th one egg had hatched. I photographed this baby that evening. The other two eggs have tiny holes pecked through. Sadly these two babies died before they could break free of the eggs.




By Wednesday August 1st the little robin had more than doubled in size.



On Saturday August 4th the baby had grown much larger and was becoming covered with feathers. Any disturbance about the nest would cause it to hungrily open its huge mouth.


This morning I went out to photograph the baby on its one week birthday only to find it and the remaining unhatched egg gone. If only the baby had been missing I would have assumed it had accidentally fallen from the nest but with the remaining egg also gone I believe it is safe to assume the nest was raided by a predator during the night.

Such is The Way of the Wild

Some must Die that Others may Live

9 comments:

Lucy said...

Wow! Great job tracking the life of this young robin. Your post was very interesting and educational, Salty, although it had a sad ending. :-)

Anonymous said...

The photos are wonderful! You are so lucky to have viewed these happenings and I'm so glad you shared them with us.

It is sad that the baby and egg disappeared. Sometimes nature seems cruel, but as you say.. its the way of the wild.

photowannabe said...

Great photojournalism Salty. its sad the tiny thing didn't make it but it is survival of the fittest I suppose.

Anonymous said...

Oh my. Sad. It is one of those things I am happy I do not have to look at. But I am sure, like you, a kind of hungry theif in the night got both. Perhaps a snake.

Chad Oneil Myers said...

That is a sad ending, jeesh!

Great find.

Jill said...

WOW! I was excited to see this then got to the bottom part of the post and read about them missing. So sad. I hate this stuff happens...

lv2scpbk said...

Nice shots.

Anonymous said...

Sad but it is a fact of life. Nice story and photo support!

Neva said...

hmmm I also blogged today about baby robins but I was on vacation for a week and haven't had a chance to check them yet....hope they are ok.... but nice pics.