Bluebird thread #12

If you're looking for #11, it's right here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/875218/

My bluebirds are done for the year. The fledglings are feeding themselves. Papa has reverted to his grouchy old ways: Always eating first, never permitting Mama or any fledgling on the feeder until he is finished and flying into the face of any fledge that begs from him. Sometimes he will sit on the feeder for a long time without eating, seemingly enjoying making the others wait. And as you can see, he is looking pretty ragged.

These first pics are from 2 weeks ago.

This is Mama from the same time.

Again

Another

And another

One new.

One more.

All these were from Aug 11. Her moult was just starting.

This is from Aug 14

A better shot of her

I like the effect of this shot even though it doesn't show much of her moulting process

Here's one of Papa -- same day.

These are from Aug 16. In this first shot you can see the first signs of moulting on her side.

Aug 16 was also the first day the fledglings came to the meal worm feeder.

Aug 17

Aug 20 You can clearly see that by this time the female has begun to moult.

Aug 22

Aug 24. The moulting process is well underway. Quite a change in just 2 weeks.

Wonder how Papa is doing?

Remember what Papa does when a fledgling begs from him?

Here are the three fledglings. No moulting yet but it will start for them in a couple of weeks.

Here are a couple of shots of the fledglings. Aug 25

Another closeup

Aug 28 - three days ago

Same day. Papa's moult was well underway too.

Aug 30 - yesterday You can see the first signs of moult on this fledgling's side.

And finally, today, Aug 31. You can see Papa's new chest feathers all the way to his chin. Still a long way to go, however.

Another shot just to show off the blue feathers.

Now, I'll try to update this thread every day or so to follow their progress.

Wonderful pics Dave! I love the one where Papa is flying toward the fledge.

Do they bathe more while their moulting?

Beautiful series, Dave. I share Pelle's thoughts on the male flying at the fledgling. The expression on the fledgling's face says it all.

Sep 1. The yellow jackets - which also eat the meal worms, have arrived. Mama checks this one out.

These are great shots. We have a bluebird box in our backyard. This year they only had one nest of fledglings. They did not come back and nest again. I really enjoyed watching them.

Thanks, everyone. This one is from this morning. You can see she is still moulting.
I am currently working on a slide show and am curious to see how this format will look on line.

Actually, that was the regular layout. This is the same picture, in a floating frame style. This is what I am considering for my slideshow. Any comments or suggestions?

Dave, I've flicked between the two half a dozen times. They both look good, dang, they both look fantastic, but I think the one with the frame looks more "finished" and somehow seems to highlight the subjects more.

Thanks, Margaret. Maybe I should also consider the image floating without the frame.

After much flipping back and forth, I vote for floating w/o the frame.

Wonderful pics.

I agree, float without frame. I don't mind the frame so much (In fact, I kind of like it), but I find the shadow effect on the inner portion frame distracting. That's probably because my eye wants to see it as one whole framed piece as if it were a framed piece of art.