Starting Bluebird thread #6

Let's start off with another shot of Papa in flight. This one was taken this morning.

And here is what a six day old baby looks like. Notice its wing feathers are starting to grow and you can also see the eye beginning to open.

oh my. How did you get that picture without them opening their big mouths for some food!!

It's strange but unless they are super-hungry, they seem to play 'possom. And they won't raise their heads unless they hear a click like their parents make when they arrive. They seem to sleep most of the time and are growing fast.

Dave

Wow, I've never seen a baby bird in that "stage" before. Without your pics I may never had have this opportunity. Thanks!

Wow! What wonderful pictures. Can't wait to see them grow. Good job!

Great pics Dave! They sure are growing fast!

These are great again, Dave...much thanks for posting them.

Fabulous!

Here"s Mama looking like she is bait on a fish hook. :-)

Here's Mama in flight. Not the best lighting, but...

Here the camera stops her as she returns to the nestbox.

Here's Papa in a similar position.

And, for our wing-waving fans...

In case she didn't see him...

And yes, he can do it with the other wing too.

Here Mama is contemplating her next move. Not sure if she is concerned about the bee or not

This message was edited Apr 12, 2008 8:13 AM

Apparently not

wonderful way to start the day! Boy oh boy are they busy. Love the one of mama folding her wings back as the momentum continues to carry her forward toward the box.

Wow, they are STRANGE looking little things, aren't they. That hole in the side of the head is a good look. ; ) An ear, right?? It's such fun to actually be able to look for such a long time at your pics; when I'm monitoring an active nest, I'm in & out of there as fast as possible, usually less than a minute. My bbs haven't yet returned but why would they, still SNOW here. It's like February out there today.

Yes, Lou, that hole must be its ear. At first I thought it was an eye but in this shot, taken a few minutes ago, you can see that the eye has not yet begun to open.
Hope your winter weather ends soon. I applaud the heartiness of you people, but to get me to live there, they'd have to dome the whole state. :-)

Wow their getting so big!

Great shots Dave!

Your pictures are SO amazing! What kind of camera do you use?

Scratch that last question about your camera.....just found the info on anotehr thread! :-)

sacarvounis: I use my new cameras and big lenses to take the long range pictures. But the closeups of the baby birds were taken with a Canon 20D and a 50mm macro lens. That might not be clear if youread the "What kind of camera..." thread.

Yep, the hole is the ear.

Resin

2dCounsinDave, WOW and double WOW! Those are the best bluebird pictures ever. Really, really impressed!

More wing-waving

Here's Mama bringing breakfast this morning. Rather overcast, so pics are not so sharp.

Just another picture of Mama, nothing special.

Here are a couple of shots of Papa, getting used to the new shepherd's hook

HEE HEE… well, nothing special to YOU maybe!!!

But when the highlight of my bird day has been that the house finches discovered the peanut silo…

ya' see what I'm sayin'?

Well, Mrs Ed, spring will come before too long. In the meantime, my BBs are happy to help.

Another shot of Mama, just sitting...

Another case where Papa is slipping on the sheperd's hook

Dave,

All fantastic photos of the beautiful Bluebirds! I can't get over their wing waving! :-) I didn't know about it until you started posting your Bluebird pics!

Can't wait till the babies start showing more!

Thanks for sharing!

Marilyn

I am sooo jealous now!! Fantastic!!

I enjoy bluebids vicariously through your wonderful photos, Dave. You are so fortunate! Mine have been gone for 6 days now after much house inspecting and dropping nesting material in two. I am thinking that they are not returning. :-(

Hello sacarvounis. I am glad you enjoy my pictures. Knowing that is a source of encouragement and one of the main reasons I post the pictures I take.

I have neglected this thread the past several days because I have been preoccupied with an ongoing crisis where the house sparrows have been attacking the BB nestbox. Since this topic, or my reaction to it, rather, is off limits on this forum, I will only say that my blues and their babies are still alive and well and have reached day eleven and that I am determined they will reach fledge day (next Tuesday or Wednesday) safely.

In any event, here are a few. Nothing special. First Papa

A split second later