OP Blue Birds are in Town

Hi OPbirder, how wonderful. I await with eager anticipation. I wonder if the last egg hatched. And what a beautiful way to describe the mantle you are wearing.

Well, here you go Margaret! There are five, and they all look developmentally the same. He/she must have hatched soon after the others - maybe just over 24 hrs. later.

And close up. They are 4 days old. Notice the guy on the right is relaxing on his back. Can you see the claws on the guy on the left?

Great shot, OP. I just love it.

Thanks Dave. They never even woke up when I took their picture! You can see the feathers are developing.

Beautiful babies OP. This is a first for me seeing them so new! I bet your classroom is loving this! I'm watching this thread so will look for updates as they grow. Thanks for sharing.

Janet

5 beautiful baby BB's!

Wonderful shot OP!

OPbirder, they are just gorgeous. The last shot with the one on the right on its back with its tiny wing around its sibling is fantastic. The translucency of the tiny limbs is wonderful. Size wise, how far is it across the clutch (in inches)? What do the kids think of all this?

Thanks everyone. Margaret, I never thought to measure! I will do that tomorrow, and share it with you. It will help the students to understand how small the babies are.

The students just had a bluebird quiz! Boy they've learned so much about them, and they are enjoying this so much. I have not shown them the actual babies, though. They have seen the photos, and we sat in the meadow watching the adults a week ago.

More tomorrow.

We've had rain - thunder and lightening - off and on going on 3 days now. The adults are finding lots of additional bugs in the meadow with apparently no problem. The inside of the nesting box is snug and dry.

The babies are now 7 days old, and Dave Hoffer, of the NY State Bluebird Society and I discussed a date for him to band the babies. The ultimate age to do it is 10 days old, so he will do it this weekend, or Monday at the latest. I will explain it more after I get the info. from Dave.

OPbirder, your students are so fortunate to be given the chance to learn from you. It would be interesting to see how many of them become bird ambassadors or develop an interest in ornithology as a result of your teaching. Good work.

I've thought of that Margaret. I'll be happy if one or two each year just feel compassion towards other creatures.

That would be a great achievement. You truly are in a privileged position.

Margaret

Ok. This is for Margaret. I balanced on a short step ladder with the camera in my left hand w/finger on the trigger, and ruler in right hand trying not to fall onto the nesting box! I was so nervous the babies aren't too visible, but I hope it gives you an idea of the width Margaret!!

I appreciate the kind comments about students working with me, Margaret, but if you knew the flack I receive at school for my interest in birds . . . . sigh. I guess I'm really lovingly teased!

Anyhoo, here are the 7 day old kiddos!

I had a really good time putting the day 4 photo next to the day 7 photo - don't know how to do it for you here, though. You can really compare the wing development ! Those photos are actually only 2 days apart if you look at the date. I mistakenly called it day 4 - really day 5.

The parents are really chirpping in the tree when I'm at the box now. I'm really uncomfortable stressing them - obviously the babes don't care! I'd like to continue documenting their development. Is there a point where I might be jeopardizing the babes' safety by opening the box? Dave'll know, I'm sure.

here you go…

You are the best marna!! Wow. Isn't it great to see the progression? Thank you so much. Now, can you tell me how to do it? d-mail?

Oh, OPbirder, it's not often that I laugh out loud when I'm on my own, but I sure did when I read your description of how you took the shot with the ruler. BRILLIANT! You really are a person that goes over and above the call, aren't you? What a pity that someone wasn't taking a photo of your antics. Thank you so much for doing that for me. I really appreciate it. They are a lot smaller than I thought.

Hey Marna, how clever are you?

Margaret,I suspect you don't know the half of it. Follow this link back to several months ago. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/814353/

Look at the pictures and then look for the thread named Drama Queen poster. Here's a link: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/817787/

I have one of the 20 by 30 posters framed and hanging in my foyer and it is so professional.

Marna, we do need to think about doing it again, when you are up for it.

Dave

That collage would be a great poster for you classroom OP!

Checked out the linx, Dave. I was blown away by your images of the Titmouse. I feel quite overwhelmed by all the spectacular images on the bird watching forums, but think you'd be doing the bird-watching fraternity a disservice if you didn't publish an e-book. I think the purity and clarity of digital imagery is unsurpassed as a medium.

Oh, and I've finally figured out what LOL means. It was a new one to me.

Hey Dave, I'm up for it!

I suspect we'll have to do a belly button one some day, but the bluebird pix are so darn cute I think they'll have to go first.

Just say the word.

Margaret, now you have to figure out LMAO and ROTFL.

:D

The funny thing about OP's balancing act with the ruler is that she has a ton of kids available to her to hold the darn ruler!

It's just a pity one of the kids wasn't holding a camera. But it's OK, I have an image firmly embedded in my mind. Oh, how I wish I could do cartoons.

Hmmmm, LMAO & ROTFL. If I lose sleep over this...........

Great shots OP and Marna you are a wonder! I hope you and Dave team up to bring us another great "poster"!

I think we're both willing Rose, but we'll need to have a theme/story I guess. Those darned bluebird kids are so photogenic, I don't think we'll have a problem.

Next up. A day at the Farm Poster!!!!

I think the problem you will have with Dave's is there are so many great images so I agree a theme would help narrow the field.

Oh my. You all have been busy today! I don't know what LMAO and ROTFL mean either. Don't tell me. I'll work on it.

Saw the titmouse collage. Yes, nanny, I need to have a poster made. It would be perfect.

Yes margaret. Dave's photos are incredible.

You all are correct. I have 22 helpers, but did the ruler stuff after school. Duh. Shoulda done it during the school day.

Here are baby photos two days apart. The growth is incredible! Look at the wings in this photo.

Now, look at the wings in this one. I'm astounded in the length of the wing feathers in just 48 hours!

Oh, by the way. I should have given credit to the last photos to my colleague here at school who has a wonderful camera. Yep. I'm converting a bunch of teachers into bird watchers. She also took this one tag-team photo. I call this a "Dave."

The Mrs. hard at work.

Last, for today, the Mr. taking his turn feeding the crowd.

When should their eyes open? Should be soon?

The eyes should open after eight or nine days. At this point they are really developing fast. Just think, in just a week from now they will have enough feathers and be strong enough to fly !

Dave

This message was edited Jun 19, 2008 7:30 PM

That's unbelievable Dave!

OP, I wrote and said that the HS ran my bluebirds out? Well I tore the nest out and the bluebirds came back and were there for two weeks and the Wrens have built so will let them have it. I am going to put up 3 more houses out there. BEV

Beautiful, sweet little birds.

What a shame dragonfly. Don't give up!