The Mockingbird Family in the Rose Bush

We have 4 new arrivals! Four baby mockingbirds have hatched in our rose bush!!!

The mother is a cherry little mockingbird that has been around here for some time now. Many mornings I have sat on my front porch drinking coffee listening to her sing a selection of songs.

Her favorite place to sing is atop the remanents of a small tree that use to stick up from my rose bush. From these heights she would trill and sing til her heart was content.

Not long ago, I noticed that she made frequesnt trip INSIDE the rose bush. So with my curiosity piqued, I gently looked inside the rose bush and found the beginnings of a nest.

I did not tell the kids where, but did tell them our little friend was making a nest. I did not want them disturbing her. I promised them I would keep tabs on her as long as she let me, but the first time it seemed to bother her, then I would stop.

Every few days I would check her progress without being invasive. She did not seem to mind that I was occasionally checking up on her.

Then one day, I discovered that she had laid 4 blue eggs speckled with brown spots.
I kept watch when she wasn't around, but I would not go every day. I was afraid that if I checked everyday, the scent would scare her and she would abandon the nest.


Today I noticed that she was making more frequent trips to the nest. I kept watching until she was away, and went for a look-see. Sure enough there were 4 newly hatched babies!. I went inside to announce to everyone that the eggs have hatched.

I took my camera, but when I went back out Mama Mockingbird was on her perch, so I snapped a couple of shots of her and watched and waited. When she had gone to look for more food, I quickly went and snapped a few shots of the babies, so the kids could see.

I won't be going out as much since I know she will be busy bringing lots of food to 4 growing babies, and I do not want to disturb her. I will on occasion check up on them and hopefully get some pix of them growing up; unless Mama Mockingbird let's me know she does not want me there. {a friend of mine told me once of a moching bird that had a nest in a tree in her yard and would dive bomb anyone near the tree}

Blessed Be!