An Empty Nest

For the past few weeks, a family of Anhingas resided in a large nest across the lagoon from our villa.

We watched the parents build the nest.

We watched as the parents waited for the eggs to hatch.

We watched three chicks emerge ~ at first, seeing only heads peeping over the edge of the nest, chirping in hunger until mom or dad appeared on the horizon, then crying in frenzied anticipation.

We watched the chicks grow from white balls of fluff, to birds with wings not yet mature enough to take flight.

This morning, I noticed that the birds had gone out on a limb, literally. 

The bough bent under their collective weight, until one by one, they took flight.

We hope they’ll soar.

For another type of empty nest:  When Your Last Starts Their Firsts

For more information on Anhingas, visit Audubon Guides: Anhingas