Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, July 27, 2009

They FLEDGED


Oh what an adventure this has been for me!!!!! (Read the previous two blogs---if you haven't done so!) Yesterday morning, during some sprinkly rain about 9 a.m., the bluebirds left their nest. I actually saw one of them fledge (maybe two) ---but of course, I didn't get a picture. Everything was happening so fast.. They say that once one of them fledges, they all do... And that is true. After seeing one of them on our deck, I knew that they were leaving. SO---I started looking around for any of the others. I was also keeping one eye on the one (or ones) left in the nest.


All six Bluebirds (Mom and Dad and 4 juveniles) were flying around all over the place ---watching the little ones and protecting them. They were dive-bombing squirrels and chipmunks, and making all kinds of noise ---but didn't seem to mind any of the other birds which were around (except for the Bluejays --which luckily weren't around in the morning).


All four of the babies headed toward our woodpile and the empty lot next door. After leaving the deck, we sat in our bedroom --looking down at them for a LONG time on that side of the house ---and George was able to get some pictures through the screen, using the zoom. It was just amazing to watch how the family took such good care of the little ones.


Here are yesterday's pictures. The one above is one of the cute little ones we found on our deck during the rain yesterday morning. I'm sure he was scared to death. But--isn't he cute? Below are other photos. Excuse the quality of some of the pictures ---but I still think they are good enough to share.







Here is one of the last ones to fledge... The one I saw actually flew about 25-30 feet before landing on our woodpile.







Daddy would come by and feed the little one ---probably urging him to come on out into the big ole' world!!!!







I love the expression on his face.... I'm sure he doesn't want to leave that safe nest!









Daddy had to work hard (don't know where Mama was --unless she was with or near the ones who have already fledged)... Daddy kept coming back and having a little 'discussion' with the baby bird I'm sure.







"Okay-Okay---Darn it!!!! I'm coming out!!!" (And very soon he did!)







Here's another picture of the little one who was on our deck. As I said, it was raining ---and he was shaking... Poor little guy.. He finally jumped down into the Rhododendron bush--and then went toward the empty lot from there.









Here's one more of the baby on our deck. Oh how pitaful... This little guy hadn't ever felt rain before I'm sure. He just looked so sad ---and scared...









One of the babies ended up on this big tree near the woodpile. He stayed there for the longest time...







A close-up (although a little blurry) of the baby Bluebird hanging onto the side of the tree











Now Daddy Bluebird checks out one of the fledglings. I'm sure he's reassuring the baby that things will all be okay!!!!







Now--there are two fledglings hanging onto the tree.









Another fledgling is on the ground hopping around near the woodpile... You can only imagine all of the activity that is going on at this moment---with the bluebirds trying to keep up with the fledglings and getting them all together. They all ended up in the trees in our empty lot next door. I'm sure they are safe --and being well-taken care of. Some of the juveniles and adults did come to our feeders off and on most of the day.







I close with a picture of Daddy Bluebird watching those babies VERY closely. The Eastern Bluebirds are a fairly quiet, easy-going bird UNTIL something threatens their young .. (I guess that most all birds are like this!) BUT--when agitated, the Bluebirds do whatever is needed in order to protect the young ones. I was impressed ----and thoroughly enjoyed this entire process.


I did read that Bluebirds take the fledglings AWAY from the nest for awhile --so that they aren't tempted to go back!!!! SO---I assume they won't be around for a litle while.


Today, I feel a little sad though (guess I'm having a Pity Party) since I miss watching them so much. I feel like it's the day after Christmas!!!! ha ha .... BUT--maybe (just maybe) they will come back and do it all one more time. AND--if that happens, we should have about 10 Bluebirds all helping (8 Juveniles and 2 Adults). How 'bout that?????


Hope I haven't bored you to death with my Bluebirds. I have learned so much about them and have truly enjoyed watching their every move. (Now---it's back to cleaning the bathrooms!!! ha)


Hugs,

49 comments:

cherie said...

oh, ms. betsy, how lovely!!! yey, i'm the first one to see them! i remember fledlings we caugght one summer in pittsburgh - oooh, i hope i get to experience the same with MY robins, haha!

Anonymous said...

It would be nice and I would be grateful if you head one or two of them this way. I have never had a blue bird here since 1962.

Our neighbor's robins fledged the other day and I have gotten up and went outside dozens of times to make sure they were OK when I hear them squawking. I took some pictures of one hiding in the Lilac bush and it is on my birds blog.

Glad to know the birds are out and almost on their own.

Be part of history. Become a Follower or leave a comment. Tell you friends. Link up. Pick a Peck of Pixels

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wonderful post. keep them coming!

Darla said...

What a wonderful thing to witness Betsy!

Beth said...

Oh, so exciting, Betsy, that you got to witness the little bluebirds fly into the world for the first time! That little fella shivering on the deck looks so scared---I'm glad all the babies were so well protected by their family. I was divebombed for the very first time this year when I bumbled unawares right into the middle of a bluebird fledging. It was pretty fierce!

Thanks for sharing your great photos of the happy event with us, Betsy.

amelia said...

Don't you wish you could invite them in to your house until they are old enough to face the world??? Poor little things must be so scared.

Every winter when it's -20 or so I want to get all the birds from the feeders indoors to get warm!!!

What a mess that would be!

Judy said...

I really enjoyed this post and seeing all your photos of the new babies coming out into this big old world. It has to be scary for them. Just like a child taking his first steps! Your husband did a great job capturing all the action.

NatureStop said...

What a lovely post.Looks like Daddy bluebird is really working hard:)The fledglings look so cute!

Shantana

Arkansas Patti said...

Thank you for those great shots,I missed it both times with my blues. They do take them off and as far as I can tell, they stay away. I have the same quota going-- 8 new babies plus mom and pop.
We are doing our part.

Kelly said...

How wonderful!! I loved the post with all the details. Why on earth did they chose to fledge during the cold rain? Go figure...

Rose said...

How darling they are! Don't you just want one to snuggle in your hand for just a minute, even?

Jen said...

Oh lucky you!!!
Your pictures are great --Thanks George!

Randy said...

Oh how neat! It always fun to watch them leave the nest, but I worry that they will be okay sometimes.--Randy

Busy Bee Suz said...

How exciting that you were able to witness all of this excitement.
Personally, I just love the picture of the baby getting wet on the deck railing. I love his grumpy face. Looks like me some mornings!!!

Small City Scenes said...

Yaaaayyyyy!!! They made it!!! Such excitement. I am glad you got all these pictures. They can be so noisy at this time but fun and even scary.Keep us informed. MB

Diane said...

Bored?No! I love them. I'm glad you got so many pictures of them. I can't believe the color of the babies, they're blue already!

Dorothy said...

Glad you got pictures of this. I had convinced myself that they must fly away at mid-night because I never see them leave:-)

SmilingSally said...

Thank you for catching these marvelous pictures. I still wish you would link in so that other Blue Monday people could enjoy this.

Cheryl said...

How wonderful you captured all of this excitement! I am so pleased that you shared all of this, I have never seen a baby bluebird here. I have so enjoyed following your last few posts. Thank you for sharing!

Jo said...

Wow THANKS Betsy! I've been out on the road today and wondered about your baby Bluebirds. And opening up your post, I saw this. Never, ever was this boring. It was AMAZING following your posts.I pray for the safety of all those precious babies and their "caring" family, Thanks again! Hugs Jo PS Do you know about the meme: Pet Pride? I'll send you the link on email and if you like you could link these three posts to it. Others out there will LOVE this story.

Loran said...

Thanks, Betsy, I always enjoy your blog too. I loved the series on the little bluebirds. SO much better than cleaning bathrooms!

I Am Woody said...

I am so excited for you. I know how much you wanted to see them fledge. So cool!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Oh thank you, thank you...we were able to share a part in it this time around..
I love the look on the little ones face, all grumpy and forlorn.
A wonderful post Betsy and George, I appreciate the patience it took to actually put those little fellows on film !
I'm smiling from ear to ear ;)

Clara....in TN said...

I would have been right there watching too. I enjoyed reading about them and seeing the pictures. Poor babies....had to go out into the big world!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Cool story of all the action.

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hello Betsy,

Oh, they are just so cute! I've enjoyed the Bluebird series!! So....what will be next? (After cleaning the bathroom)...hahaha

See ya,
Steph

Snap said...

How exciting! I'm happy that you are happy watching the little ones fledge! Mother Nature is amazing and beautiful. So awesome (is awesome still an *in* word?)!!!!!

cherie said...

oh ms. betsy, just saw them - my eggs hatched!! what a happy day!! see my blog, haha, i am so proud!:)

Karin said...

I'd quit everything I was doing too, just to be in on this fantastic adventure! How exciting - and I'm just reading your blog not watching in person! Thanks for sharing your excitement with us!

EG CameraGirl said...

I think you are as proud of the little ones as their mom and pop are. ;-) Nice to hear they all made it!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
This is a fantastic posting. The photos are great. We have some baby bluebirds that are just ready to fly away. It's so sad when they leave the nest. We've enjoyed them so much. They always open their orange mouths for some worms when we peep into their nest. You've so fortunate to get such great photos. I love this posting.

Shelley said...

That little one shaking on the deck rail all wet just melted my heart! I wanted to scoop him up and hug him! So glad to hear all your babies made it! Now do you feel like you have "empty nest syndrome" now that your babies have grown up??? Aww!! They'll be back! It was fun to hear about their progress!
Hugs, Shelley

Mary said...

Wonderful! They are so cute as babies! I just love seeing photos of them. That expression on that one clearly says, "I'm unhappy...do something about it...feed me...where is my mother?".

Joy said...

Oh, I can't believe these babies are growing up and leaving the nest. It's just so true to life isn't it. I know you are attached to this sweet little family. You have watched it from the beginning. I know in their own little way they appreciate all you and George provided for them while their family came to be.


Joy

Diane AZ said...

All of the fledgling pictures look so sweet. Interesting to watch their colors develop more with each batch of photos. It's wonderful that you were able to document their progress and share it with us all.

Tina said...

Boy Betsy, I blue with envy between you and Davey boy..all those blue bird babies!! So glad you got to see them fledge..what a sight and doesn't your heart just tear apart that they are leaving but then you are happy that they made it to that point...its like dropping off your kid to that first day of college!! You and George really got some great shots of them and the coloring is pretty cool in a lot of your shots. So glad they all made it and most likely they will return after Mom and Dad and the extented fam take them somewhere else to teach them to fend for themselves...keep those meal worms out they will return.. lucky girl!!!

Leedra said...

Your Bluebirds this year remind me of Shelley's Loons last year. Never boring.

Leedra’s Photos For Fun

Kathy W said...

How neat you got to see them fledge. Wonder if they will come back to the nest?

Adrienne Zwart said...

Betsy, this was wonderful to read! I'm so happy you were able to see them fledge--it all happens so quickly. Here's hoping they come back for Round 3...

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

There is excitement written all over this post.GREAT!Just a suggestion-forget the cleaning and find other birds to watch.:-) Oh, I know we all have to 'clean' once in a while.Thanks for the insight into your Bluebird family.It's been fun.
Blessings,Ruth

Rambling Woods said...

I have really enjoyed the blue bird posts as I have never seen them in person. Poor little guys with the rain..I love the facial expressions....Michelle

Thistlebrooms said...

How thrilling for you to see them fledge!!!
A bit under the weather but all the safe...
If you have a birdbath watch it for awhile, I've had them come back and take baths ALL at the same time...So Fun to watch...
Luck to You and Your New Family...Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your bluebirds with us. What a delightful experience.

penny said...

Betsy, thanks for the wonderful photo journey of these delightful little fledglings. What I wouldn't give to see this in person, you are so lucky.

Janie said...

How fun! I'm glad you got to see so much of the action and get some photos for us, too!

Lagean Ellis said...

Hope they stick around! Love bluebirds!

Pat - Arkansas said...

No way would a blue bird story ever be boring!! You've made a wonderful photo chronicle of their fledging. Well done, B & G!

Connie said...

What fun to see them through all the way from eggs to fledgelings. That must have been quite an experience to see up close.

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

Betsy, so sorry I am just now getting here, but wow! What a fun advnture to see the fledging! I'm so glad you got to this time. The color on your little guys is great...more speckles than I've seen on ours. And you didn't bore me at all...great story!!!