Baby Birds

A pair of Carolina wrens makes a nest and raises a brood in a plant on my back porch every year. I guess it's the same pair. I can't really tell. They enter and exit the porch through a tiny dog door and of course it's an event every year for us to watch them making the nest, sitting on the eggs, then feeding the babies when they hatch.
But the biggest, most fun day is when the babies leave the nest. And today is that day. Luckily, I saw what was happening and closed off the porch to the dogs because they've been known to scarf a baby wren if given the chance.
So right now I have three babies, clustered up next to the dog door, although I have opened the big screen doors wide to allow them easy exit. There were four, but one has already figured it out and has flown off into the big wide world. The parents are still bringing the other three tender bugs and are trying their best to coax them on outside.
It's a process.
And one that I, as a parent, certainly recognize. I keep wondering if all of this is making the mother anxious. Does she worry that at least one of them will refuse to leave? Does she secretly wish that all of them would stay right there where they're safe and where she can continue to ensure their good health and nutritional well-being with tasty bugs? Does she worry about their safety once they leave the porch and thus, her ability to watch over them and care for them?
Or is she thinking, Damn, I wish these kids would come on and figure it out. I'm ready for a stiff drink and a long nap?
Oh wait, those are all my thoughts when my babies are trembling on the verge of leaving the nest.
It's exciting and it's stressful. For all concerned.
And it can be extremely entertaining to watch.