Mostly Bluebirds

Things are busy in our backyard these days. The six bluebird nestlings should fledge next Wednesday and Thursday and I, of course, will try to photograph that event. The HOSP and the three pairs of robins we have nesting nearby are keeping me and the bluebird parents on our toes.

I have been working on what seems like a never ending "to-do" list, and I haven't posted for a while but I still take pictures every day and I have collected a number of pics from the past several weeks. These first few will be from this morning and then I will probably work back. I do occasionally see a cardinal or a robin, but I will try to concentrate on the bluebirds.

It is cool and very windy this morning. Too cool to finish staining the deck. Here is Papa as he is nearly blown off the railing.

Mama with a similar problem.

Papa, leaning into the wind.

The Carolina wren's fledgling is bigger than the parent.

Hi Dave!! So good to see you post. We have really missed you!

Your Bluebirds look wonderful and I'm really looking forward to seeing the fledges. That is funny that the Carolina Wen fledge is bigger than it's parent. Great shots!!

Thanks Pelle. Here are a few more.

Here are three taken as Papa started to take off.

Second

Third

OK, a brief change of color.

Another

Mama and Papa from late yesterday.

Mama, somewhat backlit, early yesterday.

Papa, and it's not a meal worm this time.

A frequent visitor.

His mate. Also a frequent visitor.

Another view.

Papa does most of the feeding, Here he loads up with meal worms.

But sometimes he finds a caterpillar or a worm.

Mama cheers him on.

This message was edited Apr 28, 2010 4:54 PM

I love that 3rd shot of Papa! The female Northern Cardinal is very pretty and she has a lot of red on her.
Mama is very pretty with a lovely soft look about her. Nice detailed shot of the beautiful Myrtle Warbler!
All wonderful pics Dave!

Awesome photos Dave. The wait was well worth it because you've brought these beautiful creatures to life for us. Each one is so beautiful. Can't believe the fledgling is as big as the parent.

I noticed you were using different lenses but mostly the same camera. Are you unhappy with your 7D?

As Duc said the wait was worth it! Awesome photography of course and the Blues and others are gorgeous! Looking forward to fledge day!!

Great shots Dave!! Love that shot before your first Cardinal pic and the Myrtle Warbler.

Wonderful!

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone.
Actually I like the 7D very much, Vicki. But I have a new Mark 4 too and still have both my Mark 3's, and I like them all, so when I go out I usually grab certain lenses and pay very little attention to which bodies are attached. The 7D has been attached to the 500mm for a few weeks and has been on a tripod so it has seen limited service.

I did have it out on the deck last week, shooting the bluebirds as they flew to and from their birdhouse and this Carolina wren was checking out the lens shade on the 500mm lens.

One more

Mama works too. Actually it's amazing how hard she works.

Here is a shot with the 7D/500mm

One more, also with the 7D. Last one for now.

This message was edited Apr 29, 2010 1:00 PM

Lovely as usually Dave. Better watch out, that little wren looks kinda comfortable in that lens.

I just saw a video of a 7D hooked up to a remote control helicopter. I can see you out there now, getting aerial videos of the blues!

Wonderful pics Dave! LOL on the Wren!

LOL Myrna. You know, I do have the 600mm on a tripod set up in the upstairs window, which gives me a nice view of the nest box from above. I am getting ready for fledge day and plan to set up several remote controlled cameras in the yard, pointed at the opening, and one or two from the window in the breakfast nook. Trouble is, when you try to operate that many things the fledgling is gone before you trigger any of them. But still I scheme...

Here is a shot from a few minutes ago.

Mama, also from this morning.

Actually, this is the shot I meant to post.

One more of the cardinal before I go back to staining the deck.

Oh, just one more, quickly...

Mama is really a pretty girl!

Ahhhh, Dave, that sweet wren checking out your lens is just precious!
I love all the photos, but the one using the "7D/500mm" has a different pose that's just perfect.
I got a kick out of all your set-ups for the cameras-I can just imagine you running all over the house taking pictures.

Beautiful work Dave.