http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUuXUR5l_fM&feature=player_embedded Thousands of people are watching Phoebe's hummingbird eggs hatch live online, right now
She's off the nest! She's off the nest!
Phoebe is a hummingbird tending two eggs the size of Tic Tacs on a tiny nest in southern California. One foot away, a small but obtrusive webcam sits in the same residential rosebush, recording her every move and broadcasting it live on the Internet.
Whenever the sun is up, thousands of fans log on to phoebeallens.com in the hopes of watching Phoebe's nestlings hatch. Most of the time, they just watch Phoebe as she sits on her eggs, turning her head from side to side and swaying in the breeze. Every so often, one can hear the chattering of other birds, or the sound of an airplane overhead. Watch it live here for yourself.
The number of watchers surges every time Phoebe flutters away from a moment. Her fans announce the news on Twitter, drawing more and more followers to the action. One of the tiny eggs is already cracking. A hole that that became visible yesterday has grown considerably in size; some dedicated followers claim they can see the tip of a beak protruding at times.
According to The Guardian:
"I showed family and friends and then posted on a forum or two and now it's huge, very popular in Europe. Poland and Hungary are avid!" said Joe Dellwo, 45.
"Yeah, and my bush. Drives my wife nuts that she can't prune ... I really get all caught up in the whole thing. It hurts to watch an egg begin to hatch but not quite make it. I can't help but think of her as a loved pet."
