Nine videos taken the same morning, February 5, 2022
A multi-day hatch of small fry around the time of a new moon triggered this Black Skimmers (scientific name: Rynchops niger) feeding behavior surf off Cocoa Beach, Brevard County on Florida’s Atlantic Coast.
First to Leave
In the first video, the largest and strongest Robin chick, the first to fledge, is not quite ready. Maybe I am anthropomorphizing, this individual appears to exhibit the same emotions I feel when approaching a new physical experience, say learning to flip turn, swimming laps in later life. Listen carefully to hear the chick playing the carriage light crown like a bell.
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Here the first chick to fledge screws up the courage, takes a shit, then leaps!! Bon Voyage!!
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I have a lot to learn about making video with this new camera. Color balance is improved in the second video.
Today, the morning after, this nest is not empty. I found the third chick standing, well grown, enjoying the benefits of parental attention. The nest was empty by afternoon, the territorial Robin parents were still terrorizing Blue Jays.
Special thanks to Pam for the heads up on the chicks and for ceding her prime kitchen window spot.
We watched the parents build this nest in stages from May to June, at times progress was so slow Pam and I thought the nest abandoned. It is a perfect location for them, safe from predators, sheltered by soffit, above, wall, behind. In front, carriage light crown.
Today the two of three chicks flew the nest. Here they are in the minutes before this big event.
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Here is my first video with the Canon dslr.
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Michael Stephen Wills Photography 
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