LEARNING TO FLY

When I got home tonight, I found this little guy hopping around our front yard.  We had found a little nest in a little shrub by our house a few weeks ago and saw three little eggs nestled safely inside. 

When we checked a few days ago, the shells were gone and in their place were three little baby birds with their beaks wide open waiting for their mom to come back with food.

The other two baby birds had left the nest, but seemed safer covered by our landscaping.  This little guy, though, had forged his way out on his own.  I was scared for him and could tell by the chirping of 4-5 birds overhead that they were, too. 

Don't worry, I didn't touch the little guy.  He has to make it on his own, and I didn't want to do anything that would hinder his mom not coming to feed him.  I did read an article online that said baby birds usually just hop around for a day or two out of the nest before they start flying.

Watching this little bird out in a the wide open with his mom looking helplessly on, I thought how terrifying it must be to be a mother.  Bringing a piece of you into the world and then having to let nature take its course as your little one braves the world alone. 

And all you can do is chirp and flap your wings on the sidelines trying to distract those that may wish him harm.

Towards dusk, I saw the baby bird hopping back to the cover of the bushes, so I hope he's ok tonight.  He assumes there is nothing but lush green grass and cool breezes, but hasn't yet had to face the perils of the world. 

I'm sure his mom will be keeping watchful vigilance, though.  At the time, I was thinking how terrible it must be to be a bird and not be able to scoop your baby up and bring them to safety.  Then I realized that once we humans leave the "nest" and go off to college or to travel the world, all our parents can do is sit and watch and hope we are able to use everything they taught us to make it on our own.

It's humbling to think about the similarities between us all and how it is such a gift of love to be able to learn how to fly.