Starting a new bluebird thread

Aw shucks, MarilynBeth T'wernt nothin', really.

And thank you for all your comments, bookworm.

There is a lot I like about this forum but there are a few things that I would change. Not being able to post more than one image at a time makes it hard to put up a series. Also, the editing option allows you to edit your text but apparently.you can't replace a picture if you posted the wrong one. Still, it's one of the best forums I have found and you guys are wonderful.

I have one more picture to post, this one was taken this afternoon.

Dave

This message was edited Feb 17, 2008 11:25 PM

I'll be dreaming of visions of bluebirds to come!

Dave,

LOL!

Gorgeous photo ( and shot ) of the male Bluebird!

Marilyn

Bookworm

If you want to OD on bluebirds, you can look at my pbase site. There are more than 4,000 pictures there and three-fourths are blues. There are a few good ones among them.

Dave

www.pbase.com/uncledave

Marilyn. Did you know I was raised in Kentucky?

This message was edited Feb 17, 2008 11:34 PM

I'll go to the pbase site for sure. My birding friend has her pics housed there as well, and I can replay the birding trips through her pics!

I'm so hoping the Blue birds will choose my new house for them. I'm watching the hosps very closely right now.

I love all the preening shots Dave!

Dave it is such a treat to come here and see your lovely BB and other birds. I have seen your pics on pbase and am in awe everytime you post a new one! I am so glad that you are a part of this forum

I continue to be intrigued by the behavior of these birds. While I know that within a few days they will be billing and cooing and she will be nesting and he will be bringing and feeding her worms, as of today he continues to attack her nearly every time she comes near. I watched and captured a couple of examples at the nestbox this morning. The sun is bright so the shadows are deep. I hope you can follow the action.

Dave

Here's the next shot.

There are a few more but I think you get the point. Let's show them in flight.

Here's the female, about as close as I could get.

Beautiful pics Dave!!

Has he always acted this way just before the female nests? (either female)

Awesome photos, Dave. What can I say !!! Awesome photos, Dave !!!

This morning, I put up two bluebird houses at my son's residence. So, you have probably given a lot of other people the bluebird fever ! I have been seeing quite a few while I'm out and about but my photos are boring still shots in comparison to yours. You have got to have the best bluebird photo image collection in the world. I would say, what do you do for an encore` but you will undoubtedly come up with something new or different.

Awesome photos, Dave ...............

Dave,

Where in KY were you raised? How long?

I was not born and raised in KY. I was born and raised in OH. I lived in OH for 40 and a half years until I met DH.

DH was born in IL ( Scott Air Force Base ), raised in lots of different states and 2 overseas countries. He's an Airline Capt. at a local Airline here at CVG ( moved here in 1986 for fly for Comair ). CVG is in Northern KY ( it is the N KY - Greater Cincinnati, OH airport ). He's been flying since 1978. Anyway, I met DH and moved from OH to live in Northern KY in 1996.

Fantastic shots and photos, as usual!

Thank you for always sharing! I always look forward to seeing your pics and comments/stories!

Marilyn


This message was edited Feb 18, 2008 6:55 PM

Thanks Linth
That's awfully high praise, especially coming from someone with your talent and proven ability. I really don't deserve it, but thanks just the same. I would trade a lot of my pictures for one good picture of an eagle. Good luck with your BB houses. Things should start happening very soon.

Pelle
I don't recall my male acting this way in years past. At least, not this bad.

I suspect some of it may be normal bird behavior, though. I have a pair of Carolina wrens that regularly visit the mealworm feeder and the female doesn't dare enter the feeder until the male leaves. I've seen her sneak in there with a house sparrow, but not her own mate. I have a pair of song sparrows that act the same way. And a pair of Downy woodpepckers too. Last summer I had a pair of cardinals that came to the feeder every morning to take worms back to their nestlings. I don't know what she did, but one morning the male gave the female a severe spanking. As in every case where this type of treatment was handed out, she didn't fly away, she cowered and endured it. A few minutes later he was feeding her.


Marilyn,
I was raised in Letcher County, which is in the southeast corner of the state. I left when I was quite young and ultimately joined the Marine Corps. I retired after 22 years, during which time I got my college degree and later a law degree. I was admitted to the Kentucky bar. After I retired I went to work at the Pentagon as a civilian and retired again in 1997. My mother is buried in Kentucky and have a siister and a brother who still live there, so I try to get over there whe I can. But we are very happy here in Virginia.

Dave

Your website photo collection is unbelievable!!!!! Impossible to pick out a favorite photo, they're all so very beautiful!

I agree with everybody, You have great skill in photography. Love the series you posted.

Dave,

You got a big 'fan following' here in the Bird Watching forum!

We all look forward to your pics, comment and stories! You make us all happy! ;-)

Thanks!

Marilyn

Well, thanks everyone. I'm glad you like the pictures. Here are a few more taken today.

Number two

I am always amazed with how the birds can look so lean one minute and so compact and fluffy the next

Last one

Great pics Dave!!

That is wild the way they look so lean in one moment and different the next.

Dave,

Gorgeous pics of the gorgeous Bluebirds!

Looks like you didn't get the very windy and very cold weather we just had!

Thanks for sharing!

Marilyn

No Marilyn, it was actually above 70 today with rain, on and off. But late this evening a cold front came through and it is down in the 40's now and should be near freezing before morning. The poor birds are going to be very confused.

Opps. I forgot to show you this one from yesterday. I think she was just practicing. When she starts building she carries as many pieces as she can get in her mouth.

This one is just a second after the last one

And here is Papa, still giving her a hint. I think this was right after the other shots.

Beautiful pics Dave!

That is SOME fast shutter speed Dave. We all have bluebird and camera envy!

Dave,

Fantastic photos of the Bluebirds in motion!

Marilyn

LOL, might be time to start another thread soon Dave. :-)

Yes, bluebird vol. 3!!

Okay, so Dave, you've inspired me to start messing with my shutter speed settings on my little bitty point and shoot.

Looks like I've got quite a ways to go, eh? LOL

Mrs_Ed-- please tell us what bird that was...?

I took it to be a male house finch. Is that right?

Thats what I thought.

House Finch for me too

Resin

Yep, male housefinch. That's just about all I have here!!!

Well, keep trying Mrs. Ed. You'll get better, I promise.

I'd hate for you to see some of mine. Remember, I only show you the better ones.

Speaking of house finches, here is one that is about as red as any I have ever seen.

This will be my last post on this thread. I will start a new one in a few minutes. I am at a bit of a disadvantage, however, since I am at my in-laws in Maryland today so I don't have access to very many of my pictures.