I have been thinking of starting a new diary-type thread since last October but each time I start something keeps happening with the birds in my yard and I have gotten hopelessly behind. I have decided to just jump into it and work backwards to talk about significant past events as I get the opportunity.
Let me begin by saying we are now working on our second nesting of this season. The first nesting was a disaster, with the female disappearing two days before her eggs were to hatch. I suspect she was taken by a hawk. The Spring nights were quite cold and there's no way the eggs would have survived. This is the last picture I have of her, taken on April 5.
The male seemed lost for the next several days. He often would get meal worms from the feeder, then fly around with them in his beak, as if looking for her. I left the nest box and eggs alone for about a week and each day he would go check on the eggs. Finally, on April 13, he started looking for a replacement. Here he is singing. Notice how his tail feathers are spread. Usually you only see that when he is very agitated.
A new female showed up in less than an hour. Here she is.
She is gradually getting used to me and my routine. Still, he feeds her most of the time.
This message was edited Jun 10, 2011 9:34 PM
I cleaned the nest and eggs out of the Gilbertson nest box so they could choose whichever they wished. They seemed to prefer the NABS style box.
This message was edited Jun 10, 2011 9:34 PM
But she had me worried when she seemed interested in the dummy box I have down by the back fence. I quickly moved it.
They finally settled on the NABS box and she has spent the past week or so slowly building a nest.
And still he is bringing her meal worms.
She is much browner than any of my past females, but he seems to like her, so that's what matters most.
She continues to work on the nest
Sometimes the male seems preoccupied with something overhead.
Understandably so...
Last one for tonight. I will add a few more tomorrow.
Well, maybe just one more of the new female.
Very nice start Dave!
Thanks Burd. Here is a shot I took in late March, featuring the former female. Things looked so promising back then.
Here is the male, a few days later. Love the colors in this one.
This is March 27, the last snow.
Unfortunately that PVC didn't provide very much insulation for the two eggs she had already laid..
I simply love shots like this one.
Wonderful shots Dave! So glad a new female showed up quickly, The male seems like such a sweetheart!
Love that last shot!
Thanks Pelle. I am glad things are beginning to settle down. Here's another pose I like.
He is one handsome male!
On his behalf I thank you for the compliment.
A closeup of the new female. She looks pretty tentative here but I think over time her personality will show.
Here is Papa in an interesting pose. Actually, he is watching the hawk. This shot was taken at the same time as #8512728, above
Here he is chasing a house sparrow off the nest box.
Hopefully that hawk will move on northward.
My heart just melt watching your lovely Blue Birds Dave, what beautiful thread you've shared with us. Thank you.
When I grow up, I want to take bluebird pics like Dave.
LOL, Red with a 7d, I think you're closer to your dream. lol
Tell the hawk that there are plenty of house sparrows around.
Such beautiful photos Dave, each one is a treat to see.
The new female looks so very young, but I guess that doesn't matter. I love the way dad has been feeding her and being so watchful.
I had to laugh when you said you had to remove a house from the fence. We had that problem this morning too with the tree swallows and house sparrows. I feel like a grandparent trying to make everyone happy.
Beautiful pictures! The ones with the blossoms are just gorgeous.
Rose
Thanks everyone. I want to digress and talk about chickadees for a little bit, but I will come back to pictures of bluebirds, I promise.
You may recall that I put the Gilbertson PVC box up mainly in hopes that the chickadees would nest there. And the dummy box is used for house sparrow control. Well, a few weeks ago I opened the dummy box and found...
A nearly completed chickadee nest! I was so excited.
And because they were nesting nearby, the chickadees were frequent visitors at the meal worm feeder and perched nearby to wait their turn, which gave me lots of chances for good pictures.
I even got a shot of the male feeding the female.
Next
But most were single bird shots.
Like so.
