This Bronze Mannikin was the first to arrive at the feeder moments after I had sat down in the garden with my customary cup of tea. It filled its beak with seeds and flew off.
I followed its flight to see it perching nearby and feeding a youngster – that explains the quick return visits, I thought.
Then, more Bronze Mannikins turned up on the rim of the feeder: coming and going with speed.
I realised they were all hard at work feeding the next generation.
They certainly had to work hard going back and forth to feed those gaping beaks for there seemed to be no end of hunger in sight.
Something Over Tea 
A lovely photo story
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Thank you, Derrick, I have just come in from watching the process all over again!
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🙂
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Parenting–it never ends regardless of the species.
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You are right!
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How far away from the feeder is your tea-sipping seat? Can you get some of your pictures without moving from that spot? I love these family shots!
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I sit about two metres away from the feeder, usually in the same spot and find that if I sit still enough the birds approach the feeder within about ten to fifteen minutes of my filling it / arrival. It takes a little longer for them to get used to the camera though. They have got used to my arm movements whilst eating or drinking.
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That’s great!
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Our Mannikin-family also now consists of twelve hungry, and noisy!, mouths to feed. My favourite part of the morning when they all pitch up next to my stoep-office for something to eat, drink, and a bath.
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I have a bird bath nearby too and delight when they perch around the rim of it to drink or bath. Some of the youngsters are coming to the feeder with the adults – progress in the feeding line.
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It’s hard work being a parent.
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It certainly is!
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Wow, that is a good sized brood. The tireless energy of bird parents always amazes me!
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Several species of birds are feeding their young now – a non-stop affair as the little ones appear to be insatiable.
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A mother’s work is never done!
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Fortunately no-one tells us this when we start out!
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Lovely photo of those gaping babies being fed by the busy adults. What an interesting process to watch.
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It has been going on for a few days. Weavers, the Olive Thrush and Cape White-eyes are also hard at work feeding their youngsters.
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Nice line up. 😊
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They are irresistible.
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