Nesting

This one's for the birds

About a month back, a robin built a nest just above our front door. At first, we called it a "he"; there were no eggs in sight and what did we know? But now, four babies later, we confidently call her "Mom." 

Photo from my tall & talented brother Kevin Lawler

The nesting has been amazing to see. And we can truly see the hatchlings by standing on a chair and peering through the above-door window pane. At first, they were terribly skinny and wrinkly, as all babies are. But I swear: Overnight they morphed into four balls of fluff that barely fit in the nest. It looks awfully crowded. Or maybe they're just cozy.

Either way, with all the preening, jostling about, and wing-flapping going on this evening — and Mom bringing worm after worm to their gaping beaks — it's only a matter of time before they grow far too big for the nest. I could set up shop very happily in front of our little window and just watch them. I'd love to see the first flight. But for now, I just hope they make it through the night without toppling out of the nest. Stay snug, little hatchlings.