For the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to see three little robins grow up, from the moment the mother laid her eggs in the nest until the moment those little birds began to fly. It was a delightful experience, checking on the nest each day and seeing those hungry mouths waiting for food, and then spotting the baby birds hopping along in the grass after their mother. I also learned a lot about robins along the way. Did you know that baby robins must be fed as much as they can eat every half hour from sunrise until sunset? Those parents sure have to work hard! Even after they leave the nest, the fledglings have to stick around and be fed by their parents for three weeks.

I wish I had a better picture of the robins, but I try not to go too close to them, so they don’t get scared. The robin on the bench in this picture is one of the babies. He’s grown up quite a bit, but he’s still got some fuzz on his head and he still has to follow his mom around for food.

I don’t really know how to describe it – but watching birds in the backyard makes me smile so much. It’s peaceful and it gives me this happy feeling watching them play in the birdbath or hang around in the yard, hopping around on those little feet and digging for worms. And I love hearing their sweet little chirps, especially since they’re all different. The cardinals have got this long chirp that sounds so loud coming from their tiny bodies. And the robin babies make such a racket when their mom comes back with food. They just sit there in the nest with their mouths open, going “peep peep peep!” I love it. Sitting in the yard and watching these birds have a grand old time makes it truly feel like spring.

And it looks like I’m not the only one who feels happy to have birds around: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/watching-birds-near-home-good-mental-health/

I hope that no matter where I go, I’ll always be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of these lovely little creatures!

P.S. My new poem makes a reference to robins in the birdbath. Check it out on the sonnets page here: http://sarrahhakim.com/poetry/sonnets/ Scroll down until you find the one called “Home.” I hope you enjoy reading it!