All Grown Up and Ready to Fly!

In just ten days, the baby Brown Thrashers are almost ready to leave the nest.  This morning between thunderstorms, Mark and I hiked down the hill to check on the little ones.  It had been a wild night on the Bayou and the morning light did not see things improving by much.  I was worried that the wind and rain might have dealt a heavy blow to the babies and I was anxious to get to the nest.  As I neared the Crimson Wisteria bush that held the nest, things seemed to be a mite soggy.  My poor babies!  Suddenly, Mama Thrasher started her screaming at me! She had no use for spectators at this early in the morning!  Mark held back a bit as both of us peering in the nest might have been a bit much for Mama Thrasher.  "Are they ok?" he asked.  I was happy to report that both little ones seemed quite healthy! The two little Thrashers were fully feathered and appeared ready to explore the world around them.

Baby Brown Thrashers hatched on April 5.

Those same babies just ten days later now fully feathered and quite alert!

After taking a couple of pictures, I eased back so Mama Thrasher could check on her little ones.  That big, old monster had come mighty close to her babies but her scare tactics had worked.  The monster was retreating!  I had to smile when I thought of how she was so positive that I was the enemy.   She could not see that I was merely there to check on the safety of her little ones.  On the other hand, Mama Dove has no problem with my presence.  She does not fear me nor cares if I handle her little ones.  Ever since the recent storm that left her dazed and the babies knocked from the nest, she trusts me enough to know that I would never harm her brood.

Mama Thrasher will have to watch her little ones carefully for the next few weeks.  They should be flying from the nest soon and I will not be able to protect them from predators.  Dangers lurk everywhere on the Bayou.  The little ones will have to learn quick to keep a watchful eye and to react with haste!