Red Eyed Vireo nest through the last day in nest

This series of Red Eyed Vireo was taken in July 2007, with my point and shot camera. This may be what got me hooked on birding. At the time Jimmy and I were both on evening shift. Jimmy set a block under the limb so I could step up on it to get the camera above the nest. Every morning first thing I told Jimmy I was going to check on my babies. And went to photograph the nest. I would just hold the camera up above the nest and snap. Yes, there were more trashed photos than good using that method. No, it did not seem to disturb the mama bird, although she did not use that dogwood tree the following year.

If you ever see a Red Eyed Vireo nest it catches your eye the next time.

Mama on nest July 5th.
Eggs July 9th.

The birds hatched one each day for 3 straight days. This is the first good photograph I got after all three hatched. Notice the difference in baby 1 and the other 2. They were not ready to eat. Taken July 15.

Also taken July 15th.

July 16th, notice now 2 of them think I am going to feed them.

July 17th

July 19th

Also July 19th.

At this point I got scared that I had disturbed her and she had abandoned them.

They looked pretty bad to me. Taken July 20th.

July 22nd, and all is well. Whew!!!

July 23rd. Notice there is still a major difference in the last one that hatched.

Also July 23rd.

July 24th. What a difference.

I sold part of this series in a framed collage.

It was going to be used in a elementary school to teach the children about birds.