Sad News

We visited Cheep & Chirp this morning and all appeared to be well. Both chicks were very active. Chirping loudly and poised with mouths open waiting for Mom or Dad to come by. An hour or so later we went back over with the neighbors and only one bird was in the nest and it was no longer alive. The other was soon located on the cement pad below the nest flopping around trying to fly. Ron from next door picked it up and put it back in the nest and at the same time removed the body of the other bird. We have no idea what happened other than there were crows squawking loudly earlier and one of them may have gotten to the chicks. This picture was taken only an hour or so earlier. We all have our fingers crossed for the survivor!
 

15 Days Old

I went over to check on Cheep & Chirp this morning and found them both alive and well. They're growing like crazy and their feathers are growing in. They've almost outgrown the nest and there is definitely no room left for the parent birds. Everyone in the neighborhood was worried the chicks had been abandoned in the 35C degree heat during the day. But, while I was taking pictures of Cheep & Chirp I heard a humming sound and there was one of the parents hovering around my head. As soon as I got off the ladder she took her place on the side of the nest and began the feeding process. You can see her long bill down into the bill of one of the chicks! Click on each picture for enlargements.
 
 
 
 

Cheep & Chirp are 11 Days Old

Peggy Sue is not spending much time on the nest these days and it's little wonder. Cheep and Chirp are taking up most of the room. They're really growing fast and you may be able to see that their bright yellow beaks are turning black and becoming longer and pointed. Their eyes are still not open, but feathers are becoming distinguishable. They don't seem to move very much during the day and like our babies they sleep, eat and poop (not necessarily in that order). By the way, the chicks are laying head to tail and you can make out the beak poking up out of the left (as you're looking at the nest) of the nest. You should click on the picture to enlarge it for better definition.
 

Bloomin' Desert

Today we took a half hour drive to Joshua Tree National Park north-east of here off the Intersate 10. The desert is coming into bloom and the small amounts of rain that happened over the winter is enhancing the blooming season. If you click on the photo it will take you direct to a Web Album of the pictures we took today. I found this by accident and it's pretty slick. Once you get into the Album you can click on Slideshow if you wish.

Bloomin' Desert

One Week Old

The humming bird chicks are now a week old and starting to take a recognizable shape. Mom and/or Dad are constantly flying to and fro for food for them and they are growing very quickly. Bird excrement is building around the top edge of the nest and not sure if this is being left by the parents or if they are cleaning the chicks' droppings from out of the nest. Suspect it's that of the parent birds that are leaving their droppings while standing on the edge of the nest while reaching over the edge with their long, sharp bill to put food into the chicks bills.
 
 
 

Crystal Cathedral

Last Sunday February 24th, we left here shortly after 7:00 AM and drove to the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove for the 9:30 AM service. Ted & Sheila went with us and it was their first time there. John Tesh who was the host on Entertainment Tonight for over 10 years and who now has an extremely popular Radio show was the guest. Following the service he signed one of his CD's for us. We always enjoy going to the Crystal Cathedral and will likely go again on Easter Sunday.