A few pictures of my bluebirds.

Another great series Dave...one of these days I hope to attempt some in-flight shots. You make it look so easy but I have tried and know that it isn't. I think you have magic fingers!!

Your Blues are looking very healthy and Mama has that "glow"!!

Thanks Rose, it does help to have good equipment (and fast fingers, especially when they are close). I get a lot of shots with only the back half still in the frame.

Pelle, Mama seems to be doing well with her second nest. She is sitting on four eggs. Everything seems fine since I changed to the round hole opening. They should hatch on Mother's Day. The cowbird that removed the fifth egg has been back at least once but was unable to get in.

Mama stretches a lot whenever she gets off the nest. Here you can see the outline of her outstretched foot through the wing feathers.

Dave

Another shot of Mama.

I have some noisy work to do on the patio but it is near the nest box and it makes her so nervous that I have been holding off. Fortunately for her, the rain has kept me inside the past several days.

Really fine photos, Dave. You should be proud of your work, which I'm sure you are. Unfortunately, I have to travel a few miles to photograph Bluebirds. I have never seen one in my backyard, even passing through.

Thanks Charlie. It's really too bad you don't have ready access to the blues. They are such wonderful subjects.

I have been so impressed with Rose's work lately that I actually went out and got a Canon100-400mm zoom lens like she uses. That's all I need -- another big lens. I generally don't like zooms but so far I am impressed with it. And it is much lighter weight than any of my primes. Of course, it is only f/4.5, even at 100mm, so it is very limited on cloudy days like this but when there is adequate light it does a fine job. The above shot of the female clinging to the nest box was shot with that lens.

Dave

Here is one shot this afternoon with the 200mm f/1.8, just as he was arriving.

Nice shot, Dave. I could have used a f/1.8 lens this afternoon. It was raining, dark, etc. and I had two (2) male Indigo Buntings visit my feeder (First-of-the-Year). I bumped my lens up to ISO 800, which is pushing the limit with my camera. but that was still inadequate. So, all I got was proof that I saw them. Maybe they will stay until the sun shines.

Anyway, that's a good lens (Canon 200mm f/1.8) that you can only get in the secondary market. So, you have a keeper.

Well Dave...it just shows what an experienced photographer can do with any equipment!! I didn't know the 100-400 could take a shot like that...now I have no excuses. You are right about needing good light with it though...it is an exercise in patience using it on overcast days. I do like the ability to "walk around" with it and the zoom can be very handy as well. I am anxious to see more of your magic shots with the "dust pump"!!

The l.8 looks like a great lens and too bad they quit making it.

Your Mama Blue is just beautiful!

Rose, if you held the 200mm f/1.8 you'd understand one of the reasons they stopped making it. It is HEAVY! I think it weighs about six pounds and all the weight is to the front because of the very large glass. It is awkward to hold. And it has no image stabilization. Canon has come out with the 200mm f.2.0, which I think is a bit lighter and does have IS.

But I like mine and I was able to get a copy that is like new. But it is not something you would walk around with.

Dave

Dave,
I noticed a cable running up the side of your nestbox......do you have an inside monitor cam??

Oh, & the 1st of my BB's 6 eggs hatched this afternoon. 3 other eggs have visible cracks also!! I'm so excited ^_^

Wing waves to ya,
Birdie Blue

Yes Birdie, I have a nest cam installed in the nest box. It is connected to a TV. I leave it on most of the time. The picture isn't outstanding but right now it is useful in showing if she is in the box or not, and when the eggs hatch, I should learn a lot more about the growth and behavior of the nestlings.

Oh how exciting!! Any chance of you putting it on a u-tube thingie for us to watch too?