Baby season isn't over yet! While we are typically flooded with Eastern gray squirrels this time of year, this fox squirrel has been an adorable recent addition.

Squirrels have two breeding seasons a year, so late summer brings in the second round. Not every female will have two litters, but healthy adult females can raise another litter later in the year. So while our spring babies are already grown and out living their wild squirrel lives, little ones like this are just getting started! ... See MoreSee Less

While we gave these two their own separate nests, they had other plans.

After putting these two ruby-throated hummingbirds in the same enclosure but in different nests, we noticed shortly after that one had hopped over to join the other. The next morning, after getting their daily weights, we put them back in their own nests...but by their next feeding just 20 minutes later, they were already back together again!

While we wanted to give them the choice of having their own personal space, they clearly weren't interested. As nestlings, it makes sense that they would gravitate toward each other. They're used to growing up tucked closely beside their sibling in a tiny nest. We were just surprised by how insistent these two were about it!

However, as they quickly grew and began leaving the nest, they naturally became more independent. They started spending more time apart exploring, practicing flying, and learning how to be hummingbirds.

While it’s a little bittersweet to watch them grow up and go their separate ways, it’s exactly the progress we want to see. Hummingbirds are a solitary species, so as they become independent from mom (who handles all the parental responsibilities!), they naturally begin to disperse. We love getting to witness transitions like this as they grow closer to the wild hummingbirds they’ll soon be. ... See MoreSee Less