Tragedy - The NOT So Good Side Of Nature
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203422)
Nashville, Tennessee
May 7, 2023 1:50pm CST
Sharing a bit of NOT so good news from my spring yard. I try to share the good surprises, especially this time of the year. And there is a lot to be thankful for. However, there have been more tragedies this year than ever, in the bird world.
I look forward to spring every single year. I feed the birds during the winter to encourage them to return in the spring. Most of the time it is successful.
A couple of weeks ago, I shared the most beautiful blue Robin eggs in my yard. A nest of four eggs were laid. The Mom and Dad Robin spent days building the nest of pine straw and mud. I watched from a distance as they fed the babies. Managed to get photos every day. All was well, for a few weeks.
I went out to do a quick video last week. Noticed only two babies in the nest, and two eggs never hatched. This can happen for various reasons. The eggs may not be fertile, etc. Came back inside to review the video. The babies were not moving. Went back out to the nest and they were deceased.
They had been fine for eight days before. Have no idea what happened. Not a mark on their little bodies. Parasites is all I can think of. This was the third nest to bury just this year. It set me back once again and the joy was gone for a few days.
I am getting better and enjoying a few other surprises. This is all part of nature. I have to keep telling myself that. Not the fun side but still a part of the process. I will share joy soon.
Photo is mine, edited to show they are now deceased. Poor little babies. Stay tuned for better news.
44 people like this
39 responses
@snowy22315 (180674)
• United States
7 May 23
Awww, poor babies. Robins eggs are really beautiful.
4 people like this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
8 May 23
Certainly sad news. Wonder what could have gone wrong.
2 people like this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
8 May 23
@CarolDM I hope this will not be repeated. I know how you feel.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 23
@allknowing Unfortunately it could happen again. But so far the nests in the yard have been lucky. The ones I can see that is. Many are hidden in the trees.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (69660)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 May 23
Those poor little things. Some just don't last.
4 people like this
@kaylachan (69660)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 May 23
@CarolDM I can totally understand that.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46947)
• India
7 May 23
Well, some things can be so sad.
But well, you might see good things too in the coming days.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46947)
• India
8 May 23
@CarolDM
Yes it can fill our heart with sadness and a not so good feeling.
1 person likes this
@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
7 May 23
It´s part of nature. The parent birds will lay more eggs this year and hopefully, the little birds will see the light
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 23
Thank you Anna. This being the third nest to not survive, it took the wind out of me for a few days. I was done with the birds. Until I saw another nest of babies. I am getting back into it again. It is still early in the season. I had to delete the photos and videos of these little babies. Parasites are very likely.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106226)
• Marion, Ohio
7 May 23
That's sad. Hopefully the robins try again
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 23
@wolfgirl569 There are others in the trees i cannot see but I can hear them.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82791)
• United States
8 May 23
That is definitely sad to hear Carol. Those poor little babies.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82791)
• United States
8 May 23
@CarolDM that seems so unusual if it's the third time. Hope the rest do ok and can put the wind back in your sails.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 23
It broke my heart Marilyn. The third nest already this year. But the positive is a nest of robins fledged two days ago, right after this happened. That kept me going. And there are others I am watching as well. But it really took the wind out of me to this.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82791)
• United States
9 May 23
@CarolDM nature really can be cruel. We have lots of bunnies here and sometimes their nests can be attacked by those hawks.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (35464)
• India
8 May 23
@CarolDM Both good and bad things happen in nature.You are fortunate to have be surrounded by trees and birds.I love nature with both its good and bad aspects.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (35464)
• India
8 May 23
@CarolDM I know you are a very kind and sensitive person.I can understand your feelings you have you see such things.I had once seen a hyaena running after a goat and finally catching it.I saw it from a running train.Fortunately some farmers came running from their fields and perhaps the poor goat was saved.I saw the hyaena running away leaving the injured goat .I. at that time had almost the same feelings.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 23
@Shivram59 Yes nature can be very sad at times. I have more good news to share soon. Take care.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
12 May 23
So sorry to hear about that. I would have no idea either what might cause their early departure from this world.
(I think I'm a little slow. I just realized that your profile image has both your and your son in it. I never saw that before).
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
14 May 23
@CarolDM I've seen the pic many times just never noticed him with you in it. Nicely done.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 May 23
@MarshaMusselman Thank you. it is subtle, exactly how I wanted it. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35608)
•
13 May 23
I wonder if the Robins deserted the nest and stopped feeding them? I read Robins don't have a long life span. Only 3 years on average. That's strange to me, I have a dozen in my yard at times.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35608)
•
14 May 23
@CarolDM Wow! What a mystery? I guess they were sick.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 May 23
@dgobucks226 It happens for many reasons. Parasites are what I think.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37444)
•
8 May 23
I'm sorry about the baby birds. Last week when we had that horrible wind, in the night a nest flew out of my tree. I found 2 babies and they didn't make it. I think the nest was not in a protected enough spot in the tree. I buried the babies, too.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 23
@MarieCoyle I know it is all part of it, but it still hurts to witness.
1 person likes this