Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Thursday 19 December 2013

A Maternity Room in the Garden

 

Two young mothers are waiting patiently,   and shortly after sunrise, when the air and ground has warmed a  little,   they stretch their legs, and have breakfast. Overnight they are settled in their beds.

Babies will arrive soon, some  might be black, the others speckled.

We have one blackbird nesting in the grapevine, 3 eggs.

One thrush in the blackberry vine, her nest is  nestled so well into the  leaves, I cannot see the eggs. They sit all night, and after the sun is up, leave their nests briefly for their food and toilet stop!!! Incubation is 13 to 15 days for each bird , and both parents feed the chicks. 

I am so careful not to touch any leaf or twig near the nests, so cannot see into the thrush’s nest.  Lady Thrush seems to be quite tame, I can talk, Hugh can weed-eat nearby, and she sits and looks. Lady Blackbird leaves her nest more often.  Daddy birds not to be seen yet, maybe they do not like maternity processes.!!! They will arrive once the chicks need feeding, I’m sure.

Little nest in the grapevine

Thrush in the blackberry vines

The vege garden is producing full bore, and courgettes will be processed ,so I can use them in  a loaf recipe of Gayle’s. Beetroot will be picked soon too, again prolific plants. Did I sow too many seeds this year!!!

Courgettes  by the dozen

 

Beetroot galore

Quotation of the day, by Rabindranath Tagore

 

Faith is the bird that feels the light

when the dawn is still dark.

Greetings from Jean

15 comments:

Our photos said...

Lovely photos of the blackbird en her eggs!

Julie Fukuda said...

What fun to wait with expectation!

TexWisGirl said...

how great to see the birds nesting in your yard. hope they have successful broods!

Carol Mattingly said...

Take photos of the babies when they hatch. Can't wait to see them. Jean your garden rocks, Wow! Carol

Michaele said...

Oh you are such a dear to bring the rememberance of a season which seems so far away right now. Bless you and your garden and those sweet little birds!

Leanne said...

oooh your grapes look good - the birds will not have to leave far from their nest to help themselves.
SMILE.

Jim said...

Jeanne, would those be Scarlet Runners (beans) above the Beetroot? Everything looks so lush and healthy!!
Our Robin's eggs are blue like the ones in your photo. Do other predator birds go after these eggs? Here, the Crows always seem to 'take' the eggs of anything nesting before they have a chance.
Happy summer days to you and Hugh!

Here in Canada we learn as children how to 'walk in the snow' and it has become second nature.

Nancy J said...

I need a ladder, tall stool, or periscope, to get photos of the babies safely, without frightening the Mum. The thrush's nest is lower down, but I still cannot see into it. I had to hold the camera in one hand, high up directly over the nest as best I could for the egg photo!!! Yes Jim, Myna birds here in NZ will throw out other's eggs and take over the nest for themselves, or even heave out the little defenceless ones, but I haven't seen a Myna here. and YES, scarlet runners are there, but they seem to be standing rather than running, a few have started to climb. Zucchini bread loaf on the menu today, will do a test bake, Hugh brought in a whole bucket of them yesterday!!!Greetings to all, Jean,

Linda said...

Jean, how beautiful! This is such a blessing!

eileeninmd said...

Love the shot of the mother bird on the nest, very cute. It will be great to see the baby birds. Your garden looks lovely! Enjoy your weekend!

Manuel Antonio Aragón Medina said...

Nancy, me ha encantado tu blog, enhorabuena.
Feliz Navidad.
Saludos desde España.

Nancy J said...

Manuel wrote " Nancy, I loved your blog, congratulations, Merry Christmas, Greetings from Spain. "Thanks so much Manuel. Cheers, Jean.

KB said...

I adore watching bird parents build their nests, tend their eggs, and then raise their chicks. You are SO lucky to have 2 nests to watch!!!!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Such pretty photos........I love those blue eggs........hope you get good photos of the baby birds when they hatch! Every thing is so pretty and green......love your garden!

Here I Am Carrie said...

Oh your garden is really growing wonderfully. Here I am buried in snow and you are enjoying birds nesting.