MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

... FLOWN!!!

Two of the 3 chicks have fledged! I was out to check on them Friday AM and was surprised to see both Mom & Dad off the nest. Both were perched side by side in the same tree. All 3 chicks were in the nest in varying degrees of crouching down.

Today, as I drove down the road the nest was on, I noted that NO heads were visible in the nest when I first arrived; but there was one chick in a tree very close to the nest. As I sat trying to find the missing 2 chicks, one flew in and landed next to his sister in the tree. Still no 3rd chick! I continued down the road to turn around & come back to my usual spot for photographing them and low and behold - the runt's little head was visible sticking up out of the nest.

Here are some shots from today. (Eight photos with captions.) I hope you have all enjoyed watching them grow up and fly away. BTW - I will be going back to get shots of the runt when he fledges.

Brother on the left w/big sister (aka "Mom's Favorite") on the right.


Poor little runt looking perplexed and wondering why he can't fly yet like big sister & brother.


Big brother decided to spend some quality time in the nest with the runt. Believe it or not, the runt is the one on the right. I know this only because I watched as big brother flew in and settled down.


Brother showing off as big sister sits and watches.


Coming in a bit low and close. Big sister is looking a bit wary.


"My bad, Sis. Sorry!" She just sits there looking as though she's used to putting up with little brother's antics.


Let us not forget Dad who contributed mightily to this beautiful family of 5.


Lest we forget how little the chicks were such a short while ago - here they are as shot on June 15. The 3rd one is barely visible near Mom's head as she feed him.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series Mike.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Wonderful update Mike, excellent captures, they all look fit and healthy. :thumbup: :D

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you, Earnest. I'm afraid we maybe have only 1 more in the series before they fly off for good.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks for the compliment, Sylvia. They definitely are fit and healthy. My guess is that the runt (I REALLY have to stop calling the poor little guy that name) will fledge in another couple of days. He's the only one of the three that I haven't seen flapping his wings while sitting in the nest. I'll probably go back out on Wednesday to check on them again.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

:thumbup: :D

FrodoBaggins Loc: Texas

Thanks for taking us along with each of these you have posted... There has been some very nice photography In your documentation!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you so much for you kind comments. I am so happy that you have enjoyed watching these chicks grow up. Oh, heck, I did give you images of chicks. Silly me.

gwr Loc: South Dartmouth, Ma.

great set. gary

FrodoBaggins Loc: Texas

:thumbup:

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you kindly, Gary. I just took a second look at these images and noticed that they appear much less clear and sharp here than they are on my iPad. Same with the ones I posted of the fledglings for ptcanon3ti. This has never happened to me before. No idea what gives - I even cleaned my glasses!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Thanks for the excellent update, Mike!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

You are VERY welcome. I fear that the updates will be ending sooner rather than later as the chicks grow up even more.

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

Great shots, thanks

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

very enjoyable set Mike