Beginning of the end

Last weekend we made our usual stork visit, expecting to find that another one or two of the chicks had started flying. It was a bit of a shock to come across this:

After a wander round, we were about to leave when we caught sight of a few white specks in the distance. We gave chase, and found that it was indeed our family, out exploring the local meadow:

We were slightly over-eager, and caused a bit of a panic by getting too close:

But dropping by the nest again we found all the youngsters safely home.

With a bit of luck we should keep seeing them around until our own travels begin; then it’s the end of the beginning for their stories.