Photos by Donna

Two posts back I shared photos of two sets of Northern Mockingbird families that I had been watching for many weeks, finally capturing the babies out of their nests.  I’ve continued to keep an eye out for them, now I can hear the smallest babies by the tennis courts chirping as they stay hidden in the marshy grass and trees behind their nest tree.  Their parents are in and out keeping them fed.  The other mockingbird family in a bush at the base of the osprey nest platform that I’ve been watching from my balcony were a little older and have been quite visible and entertaining every evening that I’ve had a chance to watch them.

I also tried to capture some semi-clear shots each time, but they weren’t very cooperative as they would run and now fly around the entire area below me, from a walking path light, to a flower bed, to the rocks; just not staying still long enough for anything real good to share.  Finally, this past Tuesday evening I lucked out I think!

First here’s sibling #1, who I discovered had recently learned to find his own bugs in the flower beds and grass and feed himself.  He had stopped the constant chirping to the parents that he was hungry.  The parents still shared some food, but he appeared to be doing his hunting all by himself for the most part.

In fact, that evening he became so content after a while of successful hunting & eating, he took a break,  flew up to the bench, and hung out to savor the waterview.

Juvenile Northern Mockingbird – Enjoying the waterview

Giving his sibling a look as if to say, “Stop chirping already! Go find your own bugs!”

Now here’s his sibling, #2, the demanding one who is not feeding himself yet, and who does not give mom or dad much of a break….ever!  His chirping is non-stop, even after the parent would depart to hunt for more food.  If the parent stayed in the vicinity, #2 would fly to the parent and scream some more.  Sometimes the parent left the area altogether, I think for a break!  And so what did #2 do then?  He would  just get louder!  And each time within minutes, a parent returned with more bugs.  It seemed to never be enough though, and I felt for the poor parents!

In the first photo, baby #2 had just been given a mouth full of bugs.  Was he happy?  No.  He’s now letting his parent and the world know he wants more!

Parent and Juvenile Northern Mockingbird

So off the parent went, while #2 continues to demand!

“Hurry up, I’m hungry!”

As soon as a parent returned and located baby #2, another mouthful of bugs would be transferred.

At one point, #2 was just below me, perched on a ‘decorated’ walking path light.  And, of course, still telling the world he was hungry.

Does any one hear me?  I am hungry!

Just as quick, a parent returned with a couple of bugs.

Parent arrives with couple bugs for the baby.

Making the transfer….

Getting that last one!

Within seconds of swallowing, the baby began his loud demands again.  The parent tried to ignore him, which seemed a little impossible.

Parent trying to ignore baby’s demands.

Baby Mockingbird cutting his eye at the parent while demanding more bugs!

After that last shot, the parent was back in flight for more food.  This has been going on each evening that I’ve had a chance to watch, and I imagine in the morning and throughout the day as well.  What a rigorous schedule, poor parents!

Finally, in the midst of watching the mockingbirds that evening, I was also treated with a sighting of three deer walking along the shoreline over at CBEC, across Marshy Creek.  Here’s a quick share of them.

Deer at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center

I hope you enjoyed those growing baby mockingbirds, especially little #2.  He provided some neat behavior shots as he told the world that little belly of his was hungry.  Really really hungry!  😉

As always, thanks for stopping by and for your comments!  Stay cool and safe with the heat!