Bird's Nest

Sometimes last month, while I was away from home, and while Beijing was busy hosting her historical Olympic games; the time when almost everyone's eyes were focusing at the Beijing's latest icon - the Bird's Nest, there was a bird's nest built in my garden.  

Surprisingly, of all the trees in the garden, it was built on the stunted 4 feet high mango tree next to the dining room.  It's height was my concern, I hope those stray cats that come from time to time would not catch it.  

Just weeks before that, I was in the dilemma whether to remove the mango trees as I has been doubt about it's health, and was thinking maybe I should replace it with another healthy tree.  The mango tree had been there for about 5 years, but has never been taller then 4 feet, never been flowering, needless to say bearing fruit.

The nest was made of mainly dried straws and leaves.  Other then the altitude issue, It was fitted perfectly on the tree.  Although I was delighted to see the pretty bird's nest, I regret that I was not around to witness the construction of it.  I was told it was built as a JV project between 2 birds.  I could see a bird sitting in the nest every morning and late evening.  During the day, there were other birds come visiting to the adjacent trees from time to time.  

Though the nest is just 5 feet away from my window, I had never "dare" to get close to check in the nest to find out how many egg were there.  Somehow somewhere I had the idea there should be two eggs.

Days passed, life was again on the track.  The nest is as usual on the tree.  However lately, the mother bird was not seen in the morning.  One evening, I walked quietly towards the nest in order to find out if there still any egg in the nest.  I was worry the stray cats might have eaten the mother bird and her eggs.  To my surprise, I saw a young bird, still half bald, curled still and quiet in the nest.  There was just one baby bird.  I have never seen a young bird in the nest.  It was a huge baby bird.

I assumed the mother bird was out in the morning to find foods for the young one.  That day onwards, I could see over the window during the day, the baby bird raised up its head and looking around.

Again, time flies,  now both the mother bird and the young bird were not seen anymore.  One fine day, I walked out to check into the nest, as expected, there is no more bird in the nest.  The baby bird has grown up and left the nest.