All grown up (or nearly so)

Hi Rose. Thank you for asking. Here is a link to the gallery where they are posted in alphabetical order. This should give you a slide show of the gallery. If it doesn't, click "slideshow" in the upper right hand corner. (Or select them from the thumbnails, if you prefer).

http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/History/County-Courthouses-in-Virginia/8366720_ofpR7/1/548836939_58cQ4

This message was edited Oct 5, 2009 9:16 AM

This message was edited Oct 5, 2009 9:54 AM

As I mentioned on the titmouse thread, I usually don't take my camera out with me when I feed the birds early in the morning. The sun is very harsh and the colors are off more often than not. But lately I have missed a few nice shots so this morning I did take a camera. I moved as far from the feeder as I could get but the birds were still nervous, probably more from the camera clicking (the Mark III is much louder than most other Canon models) than from my presence. They actually are quite used to me.

Here are the shots as I am looking at them. Nothing special, I think, but at least they are fresh out of the camera.

A young female, 71 days old.

Her brother. Well along with his molt.

This may be the father, or one of the males from the earlier nesting. I can no longer tell.

This, I am sure, is one of the older juveniles. I could tell by his cautious behavior.

Yet another of the older juveniles.

And another.

The lone female from the earlier nesting.

One more shot of the male.

And away he goes. Not the best shot, but all things considered, not that bad.

Well, I'm ready to move now that I've seen that Mabry Mill! What a beautiful, peaceful, spot to take a few photos. Don't think it could be more perfect! I don't think you've gone over the edge at all.

All the court houses are beautiful in your link. Thanks for sharing them with us.

The bluebirds are all so beautiful and healthy looking. Must be those good mealybugs you give them. Wonderful photos!!

I agree...those court house photos are beautiful...thanks for the link!

I really like the shots of the BB's in the morning sun, the colors are so pretty.

Just messin' around with the water feature in my editing software.

Another try.

Another experiment.

Those are really neat Dave!

I love the water feature photos and the BB duo is great. Nice job Dave.

Thanks,Duc. I just got the updated version of ACDSee Pro and I am trying to get used to the way it's configured and the new features it offers.

Here are a couple of shots from this morning.

This first one is the lone juvenile female from the last nesting. She is only 73 days old but already almost finished with her molt. The five from the nesting before hers are now finished but didn't reach this point until they were more than 100 days old. Same thing happened last year. Two of the birds from the last nesting were completely finished by 75 days.

Here is her brother, who was perched at the top of the pear tree.

And here he is a half-second later. I think the other bird is a chipping sparrow, that hangs around with the younger bluebirds a lot. It was the chipping sparrow approaching that caused the bluebird to jump in the previous shot.

And here (I think) is the lone female from the ealier nesting. Hard to distinguish her from her mother. I particularly like that she flies with her mouth open (and her tongue showing).

What a nice thread. Mind if I revive it? This is a picture of two juveniles from back in the summer.

Hi Lilly. Nice shot of the juvies. Are you still seeing your birds?

I see you have a shepherd's hook somewhat like one of mine, and also that you are a neighbor.
As you know, it's been raining hereabouts for the past two days. Here is a shot from November 10.

With that username, are you into day lilies? They happen to be one of my favorites.

Dave

Here is another. From this angle it sorta reminds me of a European Robin.

And a shot of the female.

Yes, day lilies are my favorite. Also iris and peonies. But the day lilies blooming season is much longer.

Haven't seen a bluebird in several months. Or a day lily.

Beautiful shots Lilly and Dave!

Nice photos of the juveniles!! My "wanna-bees" are the goldfinches. There was a pair that nested somewhere in my neighbors yard but they spent a lot of time hanging around the bluebird box and nearby arbor. I was amazed at how tolerant the bluebirds were of their presence. I saw one of them sitting on top of the box while the BB parents were actively feeding nestlings!!

During the summer it was the female house finches that moved with the bluebirds. Then as fall commenced, it was the chipping sparrows. Now it is mostly the chipping sparows and the gold finches, although I still see the house finches too.

The thing that amazes me is how the bluebirds can tell the difference between a house sparrow and a chipping sparrow. I know there is a difference in size but their back feathers look very similar and except for the reddish markings on top of the head, the chip to me looks a lot like the HOSP. Yet the BB's seem to be able to tell the difference from such great distances. They tolerate the chipping sparrows perching on the nest box and even looking in, but if a HOSP tries it, the BB's come from out of nowhere to chase them.

A few days ago I tried putting meal worms outside the cage, hoping I could get a few group shots of the blues before the starlings noticed. Here are three. (It's still raining so no new pictures).

Now four.

Those are so cute Dave!

Thanks Pelle. Here are five. There were others waiting but five was the most that could squeeze in around the bowl.

Here is one that was waiting.

Here's a shot from today, in between showers

Lots of action when a starling decided to check out the nest box today. Not the best picture but if you look closely you will see one female bluebird is crashing into the starling as reinforcements are coming from all directions.

In case you can't see it, here is a crop of the impact.

Whoa! Nice. Glad to see the Calvary is on top of things.

LOL, love the action shots!

Dave, that little statue feeder is absolutely adorable, especially with the BBs all around the bowl. You couldn't have picked a cuter one! Love your photos! Your birds are so pretty. Nice work.