Bluebird thread # 8

And here are two shots of number three. I won't bother to show her before she left. At least I think it is a female.

Here she is again

It is still so amazing to me that they know how to fly. they just KNOW! amazing.

Outstanding photos!

I bet poor Papa had to wash the "squirrel" smell off of him before he went back to continue his job.

I saw there are tornado warnings for Virginia. I watch the weather there because my Mom is about 10 miles from Front Royal for the summer and fall. I will keep you and yours, along with your new BB family in my prayers along with my own family.

Thanks so much for sharing this awesome experience with us here.

Janet

Fantastic shots, Dave. Well done! Keep 'em coming

Dave,

Our BB babies fledged on the same day! :-) I just love your pictures! Unfortunately, I was at work and was unable to view the event, but I figured it out when I returned from work and saw Mom fly into the trees with the meal worms rather than to the box.

I hope you and yours survived last night without much damage. Crazy weather we have been having! I just keep thinking about all of those bird families and what a first couple of days for these birds to be out in the world.

Hopefully, Mom and Dad will bring the young ones to the deck railing and the mealworm feeder this weekend so that I can see the little ones in action. :-) It has been a lot of fun watching the Titmouse, Chickadee and Wren babies come to the railing and follow the parents around yelling to be fed.

Thanks again for all the encouragement as it helped get me to get the bluebird box out of the garage this spring and up in the yard!

Looks like the Fredricksburg bluebird population is growing strong!!!

CWSPY: Sit down my friend, this is a long story. But first, congratulations on your successful fledging.

Yesterday was quite an ordeal. We were in Baltimore to unpack and setup a new lift chair for my Mother in law, and I took my pickup so I could remove a recliner she was having to get rid of. I had it on the truck but with no cover when the sky turned very ugly. I dashed over to Home Depot, bought a tarp and got it covered just in time. In the process I really got soaked. Reminded me of the monsoons in VietNam. I even had water in my shoes. I borrowed some of my father in law's clothes while mine went into the drier.

I knew it would be impossible to drive the 100 miles to Fredericksburg and keep the chair dry -- tarp or no tarp. We talked DW's sister, who lives about 25 miles from my in-laws, in Laurel, MD, into taking the chair and we stayed at her house and watched the news until it seemed the storms in the Fredericksburg area had passed. Sometime after 11:00 p.m. we set out. Skies were clear and traffic was light. We pulled into our subdivision and it was total darkness. My truck key ring did not include a door key and the garage door opener was inoperable. It was 12:30 a.m. and we were locked out. No flashlight. No nothing.

Fortunately, the power was restored at 3:30 a.m. and we got to sleep in our own bed. DW is still sleeping. You can bet that a house key is going on the ring with my truck key.

I don't see any damage to our house or in the neighborhood. Hope you fared as well.

Dave

OH Dave!!! ((hugs)) Ick. what a night!

Thanks Mrs_Ed
It was actually much worse than I described, but half way through the story I decided I should spare everyone the details. But you can imagine a 70 year old man climbing around in the dark on a ladder, checking for open windows. And a wife down on the ground saying "are you all right?" every 30 seconds.

I probably should have used D-mail.

I have a bunch more pictures to sort through so I had best get with it.

Dave

HA! No no, glad you posted it here. I particularly liked the "Are you alright" every 30 seconds from DW.

Come to think of it, if the power were out, I'd have to break in too. Our front door lock has no key so we enter from the garage. Good thing I could probably break into the back door to the garage (for now).

Well, good thing you are all safe and sound.

When does the novel get published Dave??? What a story. Your photos and stories have taught me just what a fascinating bird the bluebird is. All that amazing communication and tag teaming is astounding.

p.s. - I think DW deserves something that is very sparkley and shiney as a reward for her patience. wink wink!

LOL :-) Dave, I just got home and your post has made my day! ;-) What a great story, now that we know you are alright!

My first question to you has to be: "It's 8pm Friday evening; is that house key on your truck key ring yet?" :-)

I can just imagine your and DW's frustration arriving home from the long day you had only to realize that you can't get into that nice dry home ..... and not having a flashlight during your hunt for entry. I laughed so hard imagining you moving from window to window with DW "chirping", "All you all right?"...

Sounds just like something my husband and I would go through. I could just see us continually pushing the garage door opener as if it would magically decide to open. Of course, our ladder would have been in the garage to which we couldn't gain access! :-)

Well, glad to hear that you are alright and that you sustained no damage from the weather.

I am hoping that by this weekend baby bluebirds will come to my deck railing so that I can take pictures and show off the "fredericksburg cousins".

Take care and stay cool with the hot weather we have coming this weekend!

Janine

Yep. I should add that she reminded me more than once that I'm not 28 anymore.

Once she was quiet and I said, "Are you still there? After a minute she answered, "Yes."

I asked "What are you doing?"

She answered "Praying."

LOL. Nice. Kinda comical on this end right now. But if you would have fallen, oh My!!!

I think I'm glad I live in a one-story ranch!!!

Now if you had those bluebirds trained right, they could fly down the chimney and get your keys for you.

LOL Dave...I just spit water on my keyboard!! I have enjoyed your stories and the wonderful images on this and all the threads you have created. It is pure joy to look and read all that is going on in your neck of the woods. Thanks again for the entertainment as well as all the knowledge you have shared with us.

As always Dave, your photos are wonderful.

Nature is such fun to watch, isn't it?

Brenda

Not much going on here abouts while the fledglings are away, undergoing survival training. Mama and Papa come to the feeder regularly but I am cutting down on the amount of mealworms I offer them. My supplier says they are completely out and won't have any before July 1st. I am going to make what I have last as long as possible so I will offer them early in the morning and just before dusk and hope I don't run out.

Here are some shots from before they fledged. Hope I don't repeat any I have already posted.

We don't care if you repeat, they are pretttttyyyy.

OK But I'll still try not to. Here's Papa again.

Another view. Same sitting.

He's a handsome devil Papa. I've always thought so. :-)

Janet

Mama must think so, too.

A second later. Cropped.

A second after the last one.

Another visit.

Last one of this series. I'll look for some more.

OH heck, let me include a cute shot of a Carolina wren. I love the tail feathers, viewed through the wing feathers.

Oh Nice! Looks like it's in a studio with the background!

How about some more wing waving if you have it. HA! That's IF you are taking requests

And one of a goldfinch, feeding upside down. More wing waving in a few minutes.

Wing waving

Some of these were from back in the winter, so they are drab.

Another

And one more

Last one for now. I need to look on another computer.

Dave,

Thanks so much for all the wonderful pics you post! Love to see them! Thanks for all and any stories you post too! :-)

Esp. love the fledglings!

Marilyn

LOL! Sounds like you had an adventure!

A rare sight. A fledge wing waving?

I see I previously posted it on May 21...Sorry.

This message was edited Jun 6, 2008 4:21 PM

Another Carolina wren. You can tell they are among my favorites.

So glad you are ok! You have had some ferocious weather up there. Thanks so much for sharing the second fledging event. My first batch fledged on June 2, and I just happened to see one of the little ones fly over my head - I missed the actual takeoff. I enjoyed so much your photos of the event - how proud you must be.