My babies leave the nest

I guess it’s very apropos that 2 days before my own baby graduates from high school and prepares to leave our nest, our baby cardinals flew from their nest.  We’ve been watching a cardinal pair make and sit in a nest just about a foot from one of our windows in my climbing rose bush.  Before long we had 3 baby cardinals:

Who could sense when Mom or Dad was near with food:

A couple days later, it was time to stretch the legs:

Cheered on by his siblings and Dad, the first one decides it’s time to go:

Test the wings:

It was a bumpy landing, but he made it:

The proud parents were never far away:

A little fuel for the next hop:

Then Dad moves a little further away to encourage the final flight out of the rose bush:

Two remain, who’s next?

After all the excitement, the remaining 2 decided to take a nap, there’s always tomorrow.  They were in the nest the next morning, but by the afternoon the nest was empty.  We were all very sad to see them go.  As I will be in August when my first child leaves the nest.

Thanks to my oldest daughter for these amazing photographs!

~ by cindyeo on June 6, 2009.