Ready on runway niner!

At 8:00 this morning I checked the Robin's nest over the deck and caught this tufted guy getting ready to leave the nest (very serious business).  Shortly after this photo was taken he became airborne and made one long shallow glide which ended in a two-point landing on the back lawn.

Cool facts: Baby robins cannot fly for the first few days after they leave the nest. Their parents lead them to low shrubs and trees where they first learn to climb and jump. Within a day or two, their wings grow stronger and they begin to take short flights. Their parents continue to feed them, and within a week or two, they are ready to be on their own. When the young are strong enough, the robins may roost in big groups.

Male robins may watch over the fledging young, while the female incubates the next clutch of eggs.  Robins nest up to three times per year.

This photo was taken yesterday, same nest.