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Two Baby Hummingbirds - First Few Days
Not sure when they actually hatched, but they are the size of 2 jelly beans! The nest was so dark inside that I simply held the iPhone over it, quickly snapped a photo (no flash) and then tried to lighten it up in post, thus the excessive graininess.
Day 7 - Hummingbird Babies
Approximately one week after the first spotting of the babies. Difficult to tell, but appears to be some fuzzy ball-like objects filling up the nest.
Feeding Time - Around Day 8
Babies have stubby beaks and feathers on their underside look rough.
Feeding Time - Around Day 8
Babies have stubby beaks and feathers on their underside look rough.
Feeding Time - Around Day 8
Babies have stubby beaks and feathers on their underside look rough.
Feeding Time - Around Day 8
Babies have stubby beaks and feathers on their underside look rough.
Baby Hummingbirds - 2 Weeks Old
Babies now have more pronounced beaks but their feathers still look pretty "wet".
Baby Hummingbirds - 2 Weeks Old
Babies now have more pronounced beaks but their feathers still look pretty "wet".
Baby Hummingbirds - 2 Weeks Old
Babies now have more pronounced beaks but their feathers still look pretty "wet".
How Mom Feeds Babies
Upon close inspection you can see the tongue of the mother as it sends food down the throat of one of the babies (I think it's Ollie).
Sibling Love
The two babies look as though they're getting ready to pose for the camera. Or are just cuddling?
Cramped Nest - Day 20
Day 20 finds the 2 babies, "Stanley" and "Ollie," looking for mom to bring them back some food.
Day 20 - Babies in Nest
Waiting for parent to bring back more munchies. Nicknamed "Stanley" and "Ollie."
Ollie Contemplating Leaving the Nest
The fatter of the two babies, nicknamed "Ollie," hours before learning how to fly and leaving the nest.
Second Baby Learns to Fly
The fatter of the two babies, nicknamed "Ollie", surprised himself by suddenly being able to fly! Made it from the nest to a nearby vine. A few minutes later, flew forward to another nearby plant. After that, I lost visual.
Mommy Finds Her Baby
The first (and thinner of the two) to leave the nest, "Stanley," found a perch in a nearby tree. Moments later, mommy flew over to provide some more nourishment.
Stanley Puffs His Chest
Baby Stanley perches on nearby tree calling out for mommy to find him.
Stanley Gets Fed
Mommy still takes care of her young for the first couple of days out of the nest.
Stanley and Mommy
Mommy still takes care of her young for the first couple of days out of the nest.
Mommy Feeds Stanley
Mommy still takes care of her young for the first couple of days out of the nest.
Feed Me!
Baby Stanley seems to want more food from mommy than she has for him.
Empty Nest
Sadly, both Stanley and Ollie have left the nest. First was Stanley, who learned how to fly yesterday and by today was hanging out in some nearby branches. Ollie discovered how to fly today, and was soon out on his own. I located Stanley and so did his mommy, but I didn't see Ollie after he managed to hover to some nearby plants. Hopefully mom will find him so she can teach him how to find food for himself.
Those Are Not Bugs!
Hummingbird babies' innate behavior keeps the nest clean, but the surroundings get rather nasty. Note how spider webbing was used to help stabilize the nest. Spider webs were also used to help the nest stretch and expand as the babies grew.
