The literal "empty nest" syndrome

We purchased a fern to hang from our back porch. This fern was looking great. So great that a winged duo decided to build a nest in there. I knew that this was the end of the fern but the beginning of life for a few new birds. After a month, the fern was quite dead and the birds were quite alive. This picture was taken on July 3rd and shortly there after the young birds stretched their wings and left the nest. Kind of a sad ending for us since we watched them grow... and my fern is dead.