The nest of cottonwood fluff and spider webs, a mere inch in diameter, with eggs smaller than dimes.
Hummingbirds are the most delightful and amazing creatures, tiny winged jewels always moving, chattering in their squeaky little voices. We have many here in New Mexico, and with several feeders hung around the house we always have a hummingbird show to watch throughout the summer. Two years ago I was overjoyed to find a nest in the apricot tree outside the kitchen window, and on a branch low enough that I could - with a step-ladder - peek inside to watch the baby grow. Of course I tried to be respectful, and peeked only briefly once a day, so as to not disturb my small friends too much.
There were two eggs , and though, sadly, the second baby never made it out of the shell, the first baby (who I called Frijolito Con Pico) thrived, going from this funny little black thing with a stubby orange bill to an elegantly plumed flyer in just three short weeks. Once flown, I could not tell "my" baby from the others of his kind, but it makes me happy knowing he's in the crowd. Many thanks to the momma, for sharing her baby with me! (And no, I don't know that he really is a he - that's artistic license.)
Day 1. So ugly he's cute. Love at first sight.
Doubled in size in just the first few days.
Naptime.
Still napping.
Are you my mommy? Is it time for a snack?
Look how long my beak is getting!
Starting to look like a hummingbird.
Waiting patiently, watching the world go by. What else is there to do now?
Makes you want to scratch his chin, doesn't it?
(I didn't do so, of course.)
Time's up! Just moments after I took this picture he flew for the first time, and I felt like a proud mama.
The patient mama.
The Second Year
I was overjoyed the first year my hummer nested in my apricot tree; when she returned the next year to nest in the same tree I could barely contain myself.
Again, she laid her two tiny eggs (one a day) and then incubated for about two weeks. I checked on them almost every day. I could see when the mama was off the nest from my kitchen window and would rush out with my camera, but I guess she didn't go far, because she always showed up, chirping excitedly. I grabbed what pictures I could and scadaddled.
During this period, I found another hummingbird nest in the mountains when I was hiking -- I recognized the voice of a mama protecting her nest, which clued me in to look for it. I wasn't able to get back there on a regular basis to watch her babies grow, but I had my own at home!
Two tiny eggs. Taken May 28th.
Day 1, June 4. I shall call him Stubby.
Stubby's sibling makes it out the next day. Yay! This is Day 3, June 6.
Day 6. Snuggling. It's nice to have company.
Day 10, June 14.
And grow... This is June 14, Day 10.
Nowhere for the bills but up.
The Tao of hummingbirds.
Day 12, June 19.
Stubby's beak is stubby no more. You can tell he's the one on the right, one day bigger.
Day 19, June 22. The nest is getting full!
The one time I used the flash. I felt mean surprising them with this and didn't do it again, but was glad I did it the once.
Day 21, June 24.
Day 22, June 25. Stubby (right) flies later this afternoon.
The other one follows the next day. He's working up the courage here.
Made it! They are off to seek their sweet fortunes. Good luck, little ones!
The mama, not being one to waste time, already had a new nest on a hanging lantern on the front porch, and laid two more eggs just as soon as the first babies flew.