We just saw an Indigo Bunting!!

 Lately we've been hiking a bit

And this post is dedicated to the Indigo Bunting which we last saw five years ago on our bird feeder

Blue Jay

 

Pink trillium

 

 

There was a bit of climbing in multiple places which was tiring

 

 

The highlight of the day was seeing the Indigo Bunting after several years!!

 

 

 

 

The Robins Nest

 We are now empty nesters (June 5th 2025)

After staying alone for two nights,

After a lot of hesitancy to fly, 

The fourth and last robin flew away!

And that is the end of the story of the robins nest above the mailbox. 

 

All the robins are now in the backyard. 

Here's a song by them

 

 What a clean nest

 

After the young have fledged and the nesting season is over, robins abandon the nest. 

If the nest is still in good condition, some robins may return to it the next year, 

But they usually build a new one nearby rather than reusing the same one.

Interestingly, robins might use the same general area for nesting in subsequent years, 

Especially if they have had success there before, but they usually construct a fresh nest each time.

 

 The last robin flying away

 

The third robin leaving the nest! 

 

 There's only one robin left

 

 

 

Today, June 3rd is a big day!!

Two of the birds took their first flight ever

 

Bird 1 

Around 7:13 am 

 

 Bird 2

Around 8:46 am

 

 

There are only two robins left in the nest 

 

 

 

 

As I walked past the little ones now, they sat quiet, and absolutely still. 

Not a movement. As if they were frozen. 

And when I got out of sight ...

Just listen to them 😄 

(updated 2nd June 2025)

 

 

 

It's day 31 today since the mother started building the nest.

It's getting crowded and the young ones are itching to get out ...

But they can't fly yet. 

As you can see, no tail feathers yet (updated 31st May 2025)

 

The parents are busy hunting for food, and there's plenty, thankfully!

 

The chicks relaxing on Saturday afternoon

 

Day 22 (updated 22nd May 2025)

We are now a family with 4 chicks 🐤🐤🐤🐤

 

 

 

Day 21

 

There are three chicks now! And it's lunchtime

 

 

Day 20

 

Chick 2 has hatched

 

 

 

Day 19

It's nineteen days since the robin started building the nest

Chick 1 has just hatched!!

Watch the robin discarding a part of the broken eggshell away from the nest. 

They do this to keep the nest clean and make it less noticebale to predators.

(There's sound so turn up the volume)

 

 

Day 17

Incubation days

 

 

Day 13

Male and female robins

 

 

 Day 12

Of all the places she could think of, the robin decided to build its nest above the mailbox. It is the female that builds the nest 🪹 

The male may stay nearby and sing or defend the territory but does not help with nest-building.

Now as shabby as it might look to you or anyone visiting or delivering mail, we decided not to disrupt the robin's plan.

 

They say, the best time to install a camera is during the nest-building stage as it allows the bird to get used to the camera. Robins are more likely to abandon a nest if disturbed after eggs are laid.
So while the robin was away, I very quickly fixed a camera, and disappeared from the scene! 😀

Making Memories: Winter Road Trip to Quebec City

 After driving 270,000 kilometres across Canada and the Northern USA, had to give up our Audi as it was beginning to give us trouble.

Asked a few friends, relatives, strangers, what would be a reliable brand to buy, that would last us at least 500,000 kilometres, and they all said Toyota!

This is the first post and first road trip in the Land Cruiser, in winter!

 

 

Just out of the showroom (10 km)

 

We are driving to Quebec City in December

 

Yes, the roads can be slippery even when it looks clear (black ice)

 

 

 

I cannot forget the bakeries, and the friendliness of the local people

 

Where Eagles Dare!

If you look carefully you can see a few guys climbing up the frozen waterfall

Île d'Orléans is an island located in the Saint Lawrence River

The Saint Lawrence River was frozen 

It was -20 degrees C

Back in town, more bakeries

 

Although it was -20 degrees C, the genuine warmth of French culture is unforgettable!

Till date, Quebec City is the most beautiful city we have visited in North America!

Unlike many of the cities we have visited, Quebec has character.

Now to head back home

 

After being convinced of the traction of these OEM Dunlop Grandtrek PT22 tires in the harsh Canadian winter, I now have more confidence on the drive back. 

 

 

So adding a few more PSI from 33 to 38 for even better mileage!

 

 

Truly grateful to GOD to be the designated driver of HIS car!