Bluebird thread #9

The previous thread had grown quite long, but if you are looking for it, it is here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/851280/

Not much going on these days. It has been hot the past several days so the fledglings are lucky to be hanging out in the trees and not in that hot nestbox.

I have been rationing the mealworms so I will have more to offer when they start coming to the feeder with the parents. That should happen in a day or two.

I'll begin this thread with a couple of shots of Mama feeding them late this evening.

I love this shot.

Another shot

And another Too bad the branch is in the way.

A second later as she lands.

Next shot

Another

Finally!

Still hungry?

Wonderful as usual Dave...I agree on the second one...it is priceless!

He may have his mouth open because he wants more food. She has hers open because it is HOT!

Same comment applies

This shot came just after she had visited the sundial for a drink. That accounts for the water droplets. I can't account for the unusual pose.

One more from the trees

Finaly, a shot of one of the fledglings alone.

Great shots Dave!

Just great! I love the gaping fledgling shots so much.

Dave,

Fantastic pics!

Marilyn

Beautiful all of them...I like the first one best.

Such sweet pics. I have a pair that or working on their second brood. It was late last night and I was pulling weeds from around the trellis that the bird house sets on. I startle her and she startle me when she fly out with such speed!

What is the best thing to feed bluebirds? I bought some pellets at Wild Bird but they don't seem to care for them. My Lab does, I found a empty sack on the ground. Ouch it was a $7.00 snack!

Very nice series Dave.....I was just thinking about how much effort you save them by supplying the mealworms. Are they pretty happy just to feed the mealworms, or do you see them try to obtain a more varied diet for the youngsters?

It's hard to say, gardenpom. I have heard that mealworms lack certain of the essentials they supposedly need and that they will grow dependent on them if you provide them every day. Some people disagree with that, especially the latter part. When things are frantic and they have five mouths (and bellies) to fill all at the same time, I think they will grab whatever is available, nutrition studies notwithstanding, and they obviousy like the taste of mealworms. But when things level out, and the youngsters learn to fend for themselves, I find they instinctively go for the grasshoppers, crickets and moths, if they are available. I have had them ignore a dish of mealworms for several days and they know instinctively to catch tiny insects to feed their newly hatched chicks. In bad weather, and especially in the winter, when insects are rare, they subsist (actually, they exist) on berries, for the most part. I feed them then too and that is why they visit me everyday, all year long (and pose for my camera).

Hopefully in answering your question, I have also answered BG Mom's as well.

Dave

Well, I'll try to catch up with my birds. A lot has happened the past week or so, since the second brood fledged, but most of it has been beyond the view of my camera. As soon as the BBs left the nestbox, it was claimed by several male HOSPs, one after the other, who perched on the roof constantly. I took care of them and more recenty, a younger male has attempted to lay claim to it. Two days ago the BBs drove him away and this morning, Mama is very busy building her third nest.

Here she poses before forcing her way in.

And the fledglings from the previous nesting are apparently well. I have seen and photographed them in the trees for the past several days and two evenings ago, the first one followed Papa to the feeder. Yesterday he did it again and this morning several of them can bee seen close up. I realize I shoot a lot of pictures of the adults feeding the fledglings and the pics pretty much look a like. Here are a few from a different angle, just for variety. I have the more traditional views too, if you prefer.

Another. Sorry about the backlighting. The sun is still rather low.

Another.

This will be the last of this series. I include it just to show Papa's pretty feathers as he approaches the fledgling.

Such pleasure to watch those outstanding pics. you've skillfully taken, Dave. Thank you.
Kim

Thank you Kim. Here are three in the more traditional view..

Second. I must apologize for the backlighting.

Same problem with the light.

I love the backlighting effect, Dave.

Well many do, but if I had my druthers, I'd make them all look like they were taken under studio conditions. The sun is getting higher and it's already above 90 again but for photography it's much better. Here's Mama taken just now. Notice her brooding patch is still visable.

Love the expression on this guy.

Next shot. Too bad the camera caught Papa at a weird angle

And finally.

Here is the fledge alone. This shot actually belongs right after the shot of Mama, above but I passed over it.

This one is a throw away. I incude it just to illustrate how the protective layer covers the eyes on both the adult and the fledgling instinctively when they are in close contact with each other's bill.

Sweet pics Dave!