Tobey as "the Mother"

princess tobey in her castle

My little princess Tobey was busy these last couple weeks being "Mother". Once or twice a year, she will lay a bunch of eggs which remain unfertilized...as she does not have a mate.

tobey's babies...the size of a nickel

Tobey's little brood

She will go thru the whole nesting cycle...taking shredded paper to her nesting box, laying her eggs there, protect her lair, sit on her eggs and warm them. It's always a wonder of nature when she does this.

who goes there?!?

Her doctor said to let her go thru this natural cycle. After she's been sitting on the eggs for a couple weeks or so, then when she's off somewhere else, slowly remove them a couple eggs at a time each day until they're all gone. You don't want her to sit too long on them b/c she starts getting weary. You don't want her to be around when you remove them b/c it would be so traumatic on her.

tobey, the mommy bird

Tobey has been going thru this life cycle ever since she was about 1 years old. It never ceases to amaze me. My little princess is a Mother...if only for a short while.

the misadventures of Tobey...my unofficial assistant

to do do do...

My trusty little assistant Tobey checks out the prop as I'm getting ready for the shoot.

Quiet on the set!

everything looks A-OK mom!
but what's that shiny thing...

Tobey, don't get funny. Concentrate on the shoot!

oooooooh, LoVe this shiny thing
can't help it...drawn to...shiny things...

Tobey! Put that down right now. Fly! Fly! Fly!

really mom, whose the boss here?
whose the big enchilada?
whose the big mango?
who? who?
who?

Don't get funny! I mean it...fly! I'm trying to get the shot! Fly!

i'm going to really get it
but let's see if i can push one more button...

You better Fly right now Tobey!

i'll just fly away right now
bye! To doo loo!