MAY - This house finch has been trying to build a nest on one of our four outdoor speakers for over a month, but I keep removing what she builds (due to an issue we had with mites getting into our bedroom earlier this year). They finally decide to use the birdhouse, but not exactly as I would have guessed they would... #Nesting #MothersDayWeekend2019

Her mate keeps lookout from the gutter above

We have been referring to these two finches as love birds...as they're obviously getting ready to start a family

The male watches over the nest while the female is away

Our new tenants got busy

And I guess they weren't done!

Mama bird keeps her 6 eggs warm

She certainly doesn't move much

I am finding it very difficult to get a good shot of the eggs with my DSLR. The macro lens is long and my camera body keeps hitting the eaves when I try to line up a shot (which is nearly difficult to do since I can't look through the eye piece).

Valerie asks if we can try to capture the eggs hatch, so I mount one of our wireless security cameras over the nest

8 days after discovering the sixth egg

12 days after discovering the eggs, at least two have hatched

Or is it three? Four, perhaps? I only see two eggs left.

One egg left

All of hatched...and some are apparently hungry

JUNE - It's pretty dang hard to count how many are here

They're getting bigger...and their nest is getting nastier. Yes, that's poop decorating the edge.

The parents aren't doing a great job cleaning up after their kids

Some of them are watching me

All five hatchlings are now clearly watching me...yes, there are only five

Daddy checks on the newly hatchlings

Where is mommy? Where is daddy?

I manage to get a sharp macro shot of a baby finch

Meal time?