With the last of nature’s feathered gems having arrived on their spring migrations, their focus is on creating the next generation. In earlier columns this spring we shared our observations of the intricate mating ceremonies of the Horned Grebe and the American Avocet.
All arriving birds will seize the day and the season, as well as a mate, to ensure the survival of the species. In our travels near and far, opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the new kids on the branch or on the pond bring us joy. From the awkward stumble to the shedding of the soft downy feathers that adorn hatchlings, and culminating in that first flight, it is an amazing transformation in a few short months.
Some nestlings and fledglings are almost independent from their first hours, while others rely on parents to return to the nest with juicy morsels to advance the young birds’ survival: a new generation grows before our very eyes.
We share with you this collage of the new generation for 2024.
