Robin Nest, Eggs, and Hatchling
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This closeup photo into the nest of American Robins was made while watching the pair build the nest and raise the young in a tree just outside my house in Ohio.
The pair had taken turns incubating the eggs for a couple weeks, and I wanted to see if they would allow me to photograph the eggs without becoming too upset. The nest was built in a silver maple tree, on a branch that was only about ten feet above the ground.
So I set up a step ladder under the nest, and slowly climbed up to the top, balancing precariously. Standing where the ladder had the big warning label warning me not to do just that.
The parent robins moved off to watch from nearby, making only a few calls of disapproval. Maybe they wanted to see if the warning label was accurate and I would fall and break my neck so I wouldn't bother them any more.
Slowly peering into the nest, I was alarmed to find that one of the eggs had just hatched, the nearly naked little hatchling lying face down, completely vulnerable. I made a couple of quick shots and left immediately so the adults could return to keep the hatchling and the remaining eggs warm.
Photo location: Montgomery County, Ohio
