Hummingbirds build some of the smallest and most incredible nests in the bird world, and getting the chance to watch a mother raise her tiny chicks is something special.
We found this little nest tucked carefully onto a branch, covered with bits of moss and lichen that helped it blend almost perfectly into its surroundings. Inside were two tiny hummingbird chicks, waiting impatiently for their next meal.
Their mother would disappear and then return again and again throughout the day for frequent feedings. The moment she arrived, both babies would stretch upward with their mouths wide open, competing for her attention.
Feeding a hummingbird chick is quite a sight. The mother's long beak goes deep inside the chick's mouth as she regurgitates food directly into its throat. It can look surprisingly dramatic for such tiny, delicate birds!
Then, almost as quickly as she arrived, she would take off again in search of more food while the chicks settled back into their impossibly small nest.
Watching these little hummingbirds grow was an amazing reminder of just how much life can exist in the tiniest places.
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