A new bluebird thread

And one more of Papa to close it out.

The couple is very beautiful Cousin Dave, did the cicadas make it to your area?. I read that they happen from Maryland to other Southern States. We've had them here the last 4 weeks. The birds were really having a party, they're tapering down in number at the moment.

Another shot taken in yesterday's bright sunlight. This one at 1200mm.

Wonderful shots Dave!
Can't wait till the little ones come around.

Well, they are around, but not yet following the parents up to the feeder, and so far, not sticking together. Here is a rare shot from this morning with two of them.

Another shot of one of them.

A few shots of Papa

One more.

Last one

Well this little boy is the last one...really

I guess they are into their courtship routine. This from early this morning.

Love it when she clamps down on his bill.

I just realized I have been slighting the new female. Here's one of her.

And here's another of Papa, stretching before he takes off.

Aww Dave those little ones are precious! Great shots of all of them!

A shot from late yesterday, of Papa feeding a fledgling on the fence. The pickets are just a little too far apart and they have to stretch to meet in the middle.

And both being on the same picket can make it too close...

If you wonder why he always takes so many...

It's because he usually drops a few.

Well, time to go down and see what the day will bring. Another scorcher is expected and my poor lawn is turning brown already.

Beautiful pics Dave!

Well, she laid her first egg this morning. Within 10 days from the day her last brood fledged she built a new nest and began laying. I can't imagine it happening any faster--the fledglings are just beginning to follow Papa to the meal worm feeder and they are still very leery of me..

Just messin' around with layers.

Beautiful!

Wow, beautiful!!!

Love that layered shot Dave, but then I love all the photos. The dad and baby shots are so sweet.

Thanks. Mama laid her third egg today and she pretty well stays in the background, looking for a little shade, I suppose. After three straight days over 100 degrees, the mecury dropped to 97 today, but the humidity is high so the heat index is still next to unbearable.

Dad is doing almost all of the feeding now and one by one the youngsters are following him down to perches down by the deck where they wait for him

He really hustles from the feeder to each of the fledglings.

In this case he hoovered in the air like a hummingbird, while he fed the fledgling.

This message was edited Jun 10, 2011 9:32 PM

Not sure if his feet ever touched the perch.

Having delivered MOST of his cargo, he moves on.

Here are a couple more conventional deliveries.

Sorry I couldn't get all of both birds in the frame but I was shooting with the 500mm from inside 20 feet. These were all uncropped.

This one was with the 300mm f/2.8. This fledgling actually landed on the back of a chair, just across the table from me.

Wonderful shots Dave!
The fledges are so cute.

Fantastic shots, busy Dad.