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Parenting

2008.04.10

Juvenile American Robin on my sister's Manhattan roof. (Yes, there are trees growing on her sodded roof, thanks to the birds who have "planted" seeds there!)

American Robin fledgling in my front yard

Eastern Bluebird keeping an eye on the nesting box: Schuylkill Center, Philadelphia

and checking to see how the kids are getting along

House Wren with a tasty bug: Waterford, VA

and back again with another -- (note the eagerly open beak in the opening of the birdhouse)

Barn Swallow nesting under the eaves of the Valley Green Inn, Philadelphia

Barn Swallow fledgling in Tinicum, PA. He was getting a lot of opportunity for independent flight practice that day -- but his mom was hanging around for support.

Very new Northern Cardinal chicks -- with little mohawks! Good planning on the parents' part to make a home in the prickly holly tree -- natural protection!

They are fluffier and have opened their eyes!

One of the fledglings is fed by a molting father on my back porch. He looks a little worse for wear.

House Sparrow fledgling in "feed-me" stance

It worked!

Two fledgling Starlings waiting for Mom and Dad.

The kids are bigger than their parents, who have been out working their butts off to find enough food to keep the young ones happy!

One might say "cannibal."

Ospreys nesting on the Cape May Canal, NJ

Nest-building has begun in my backyard, and a blend of songs to attract the right mate greets me each morning. It made me return to these photos I took over the past two years of nestlings, fledglings, and their parents. I can't wait to meet this year's crop!

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