Five Little Bluebirds And How They Grew

Birdie, I bought it several years ago from the Bluebird nut Cafe. It was designed and marketed by Cher Layton, who runs that site. A few years later she came out with a bigger, round-shaped model and I bought one of those too. But I like the smaller, rectangular one better, mainly because I can velcro it to the railing on my deck. It was designed to hang on a hook or a tree limb but I removed the chain.

My rectangular model is no longer available. but an improved version of the round one is. Here is a link
http://www.tmbstudios.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ERV%2DBBF1

She also sells a "jailhouse" style which is the wooden type with holes in the ends, but with wire grid on ther sides where you usually see plexiglass.

Dave

Not much time to work on pictures. I have a grand daughter getting married next week and we are having lots of company so I have been given a "list" and number one is clean up my shop and put away my camera equipment. I doubt I will get to number two.

But the fledges continue to entertain and Mama has nearly finished her nest and I did manage a few pictures.

Here one of the fledges is waiting for Step Dad to come with some worms.

Hes is joined by a brother.

Step Dad has to choose which one.

He chooses the one on the fence. The two open mouths remind me of (parens).

Next shot. If Step Dad doesn't turn his head, the fledge will clamp down on his beak and pull him all over the place.

Still they spill a few.

It's back to the dish for some more.

Flying is instinctive but landing must be learned. You see a lot of this sort of thing.

In this case, Step Dad was perched on the branch and the fledge wanted to perch next to him. And got a little closer than usual.

Precious!! Oh how I wish I had a camera. I am totally bummed, but sure enjoying your thread as always.

Glad you enjoy them. Here are a few more before I quit for tonight.

This interesting pose was created when a mockingbird swooped in and StepDad ducked.

Closeup of a fledgling

StepDad is doing most of the work now that Mama is working on another nest. BTW, she is almost finished.

Here is StepDad seemingly nervous. Probably watching out for the mockingbird.

Last one for tonight.

So, she's working on a 4th nest! Determined little Mama, huh?!
Oh how I hate aggressive irritating bullying mockingbirds when they harrass the others!

I got some pics posted of my BB's!!

Great pics Dave! I adore StepDad and that landing shot is so cute!

Same old stuff this morning. The fledges are somewhere between feeding themselves and begging when an adult is near.

Here's all five. Three inside and two on top.

Looks like 3 males and 2 females perhaps ^_^ Have you determined sexes yet?
Oh and I guess Mama is sculpting the cup of her 4th nest by now, huh!
Amazing!

Incredible photos! Step-dad is the best guy for adopting the little ones. Love them all.

You may be right but I think there are four boys and one girl. And the nest does look to be complete. She has all but stopped feeding the little ones. She built it a lot higher than I expected. I worry that the eggs/nestlings will be too close to the opening.

This message was edited Jul 11, 2009 11:15 AM

Is this in the round house or the spuare one? Maybe she got used to them being close to the opening with this last group all piled on top of one another.
I thought four boys & one girl at first, then wwasn't sure on one of them. I'm sure you have made a clearer assessment. they are just so cute.
Your threads are just so spectacular Dave. I'm sure you know how we all waiot for your next picture posts.
I have a 35mm Nikon with excellent telephoto lense, but no good Dig cam and just drool over your photos, wishing to do that myself again.

We had a sudden rainstorm and I went out in it to get my camera. The fledges are so used to my putting out meal worms when I come out that they flew down to see if I had. This one waited until the bitter end.

Birdie, it is this house. She laid the first egg today and I put the sparrow spooker up.

A couple of little guys, still a little damp.

Closer view of the one on the post.

The other one, trying to dry his underarms.

A bit later, after it rained again.

Even StepDad got wet

Trying to dry his wing feathers.

Actually, this shot should have been before the last one.

More incredible captures!! Congratulations on the rain, we sure could use some.

Thanks, Duc. It has finally stopped but with 90 plus degree temps and hign humidity, they are calling for more before dark.

Here's another shot of a fledge landing on another one.

Here's a shot I kinda like.

Another.

My goodness! that mouth is open wide enough to fit SD's entire head into!!

Another shot I like