Empty Nest already?

After allowing a Robin family to build their nest atop one of our pillars. We didn't have the heart to take it down. Within a few days we had eggs. Four to be exact. We kept the front window closed and did not use the front porch for almost a mont. All to allow the birds to grow and the parents to stay and feed them.




Once the babies were big enough and the parents realized that we were not going to harm them, we could sit out and they would not fly away.

Then the feathers started growing and the chirping got a little louder. We knew it wouldn't be long before they took flight.

Then it happened. First one flew away. Then the next morning the last three took flight. One by one they stood up on the edge of the nest and took the plunge. The last two guys, I just had to take a picture of. I hadn't wanted to earlier for fear of scaring the parents. The last guy stood there for quite a while, then jumped. Down onto the porch, with Dad close by. He stayed on the porch for a while, then all of a sudden he was gone.

The nest was empty. They didn't come back, not even once. J & J2, whom we would lift to see the birds, couldn't understand where they went. Now when we take walks J points out each Robin asking if it his baby bird. Although we are somewhat happy they have grown up and moved away, we are a little sad that our family didn't come back for a visit.