I buried this empty nest with the babies
I didn't check on the hummingbird babies in their back yard nest every day as I didn't want to disturb the mother, but every few days or so I looked and when I saw Mother was off the nest I checked on the babies. The nest was so low to the ground all I had to do was stand on a kitchen chair to be able to peer into it.
This afternoon I found one baby dead on the ground--it must have fallen out of the nest during some stiff breezes we had. Then I checked on the other baby; it was still in the nest but also dead! The babies were fine just 4 days ago when they were about 10 days old; I think something happened to the mother and she wasn't able to come back and feed them. Not sure, but I speculate the baby fell out of the nest after it was already dead.
I couldn't help it but I started crying. I dug a hole in the ground and put the babies in it, then cut down the nest. Usually I keep the empty nests but this one I put in the hole with the babies. After burning some cedar and sage over them and saying prayers, I filled in the hole with soil and leaves and marked the spot with the cuttings of the small branches the nest had been attached to. Originally I hung up the red ribbon on the tree branch when I first found the hummingbird nest to remind me to be cautious and not disturb it as it was very close to the house. Now the ribbon decorates the hummingbird babies' grave.
How very sad. Nature can be harsh sometimes, but I guess that is only a human judgment.
gravesite for the hummingbird babies
Mournfully,
Mayah
July 10, 2009
photo of newly laid eggs: http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1441561
photos of new hatchling and 10 day old hummingbird babies: http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1451064