It's hard to believe, but they're gone. I watched them on Tuesday. Mama and Papa Birds were showing the four youngsters how to hunt. They would fly from the fence next to our building to the bald cypress next to the canal and back to the fence again, somehow beckoning to the babies to follow. Finally, two followed. Then, the next time, three followed. By late in the day Tuesday, all four were following their parents to the cypress tree, then across the canal to the cow pasture.
I knew it wouldn't be long before they would strike out on their own, but to my surprise (and great disappointment) they were gone the next day. I like to think they've flown west into the Everglades, foraging for lizards and insects of all kinds, feeding until they can't eat anymore, then roosting in a tree in one of the hardwood hammocks, napping in the late afternoon's setting sun.
I'll be watching next February when it's time for them to return. I sure hope they do.
