So it only took 2 1/2 weeks, way too short of a time, if you ask me! But this morning, I saw the Mockingbird parents dive-bombing my dog and got suspicious. They've never cared about the dog before so I went out to investigate.

They're GONE!! Turns out all the babies jumped the nest and darted out into the field behind the house. They had great timing because just yesterday, the farmer spent all day out there mowing the field. Don't get me started on how much I'm worrying about my little turtle friend!! But at least the Mockingbirds had the good sense to wait until he was done before becoming fledglings!

Following the dive-bombing, I found this:


One and only one baby. I do hope the others are out there somewhere with great hiding places. I'll be a wreck and watching my dogs closely in the following days as those babies get their legs out there. I don't want one of the dogs to get one.

The parents are keeping extremely close eyes on them now so I trust they're in good hands. Mother nature made sure these tiny baby birds would have devoted and skilled parents to get them off to a good start in life.

Maybe we'll have another nest this year or at the very least, I hope my Mockingbirds come back next year! It was so much fun to watch them grow. :)