Yesterday, instead of cleaning the bathrooms and pulling weeds, I was busy with a much harder and a more time-consuming job. I sat on the deck and took about 50 pictures of the Bluebird family. I was out there off and on ALL day long. I couldn't stay away!!! I know it's hard work---but someone has to do it!!! Poor George----he was out front working hard in the yard!!!!!
I was SO hoping that the babies would fledge--but they did not. By the time you read this post, they probably will have fledged, since I'll bet they do it early this morning. I think they are ready---at least two of the four. They all but jumped out of the nest a few times. I was SO excited... But--Mom and Dad and their other four siblings know what is best ---so I'll bet they are trying to get ALL four of them ready to fledge. The family kept feeding the babies all day!
I hope you are not tired of my Bluebird pictures because today, I'm showing you some more. Above is the most active of the four babies---almost OUT of the nest. Isn't he a cutie???? Below are more!!!!
Here's two of the four babies in that nest. Don't you know that the nest is VERY crowded!
Can you only imagine what this little guy is thinking!!!??? He kept wiggling and fluttering his wings like he was ready to jump!!!!!
The four Juveniles (from the first brood) were zipping around the feeders and helping Mom and Dad feed the little ones. I took this picture of one of them --getting ready to grab some food at the feeders.
One of the Juvies feeds the babies..
Isn't it nice of them to look at the camera --so that I could get a picture????? Don't know why they wouldn't smile for the camera though!!!!!
Here's one more picture of one of the Juvies feeding the babies. Look at those BIG mouths!!! ha
The babies seem to look just alike at this age---so I'm not sure if a different one comes to the top of the nest on occasion. They almost have to stand on each other to reach the top--since the nest is fairly deep. Does this one look disgusted ????? ha
The entire family stayed near the nest all day long ---and I spotted them all around the back yard. This is Daddy Blue at the birdbath.
There were a couple of times that a Bluejay would come to the feeder ---and the Bluebirds had a 'fit' wanting that Bluejay OUTTA there. The jay got his snack and quickly left. Don't think even a Bluejay wanted to tangle with SIX Bluebirds!!!
Another picture of two of the four little ones
"Please let me come out to play, but...
"...feed me first ---puh -lease!!"
Beautiful Daddy Bluebird is IN CHARGE of this BIG family... He wants to make sure that everything goes as planned!!!! Isn't he gorgeous?????
WELL---I'll be sad once they fledge. I may not see them as much since Bluebirds take their babies away from the nest for awhile. Hopefully, they'll come back and do it all again, or at least come to the feeders!!!!
Hope you had as good a Saturday as I did!!!!
Hugs,
41 comments:
Oh Betsy,
They are just so adorable....just gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling. :-) so exciting that you have watched so many baby birds.
As soon as I get a better camera I'll be able to capture some good pictures...It's totally different trying to photograph 3 stories off the ground..it's really neat though to see the bird world from this perspective. I did see (through my binoculars) the youngest dove I've ever seen..I have an Eastern Hemlock right beside the porch..it's absolutely huge and it's FULL of baby birds..they are all starting to fly to the feeders on the porch now...so far chicadees, tit mouse and blue indigo.
Have a great day,
Stephanie
What a tough job, but I'm so glad you were up to the task! What a wonderful group of photos! Thanks for sharing.
Nope never get tired of looking at your great bird pictures. I have heard that most birds usually fledge during the early morning hours. You bluebirds are smaller than the ones we have around here. Love the colors on the male.
Betsy: What a neat show from such a wonderful bird.
This is a really nice post with all the birds pictured. The whole family is showing themselves. I wish I could get a bluebird here for the first time. Maybe next year. Your photos are really nice, Betsy.
Pick a Peck of Pixels
One year, I got to see my nestlings fledge on Mother's Day! It takes so much patience to sit there all day waiting for that moment! I so wish you could have seen them fly out Betsy. You got some great shots, esp. of the juvie helping to feed. Wonderful!
Good morning dear Betsy,
What a glorious Saturday you had with camera in hand and observing these beautiful gifts from God. Birds are just the most intriguing little critters. Your bluebirds are not only active but they are so pretty! Funny that even a pesky ole' bluejay knew who was boss around the feeders. Never can see enough of this family adventure. So nice you have provided the perfect residence for them to feel safe and raise their little family.
Happy Sunday to you and George.
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel
Betsy, you are so lucky and blessed to get to make thes pictures! I never get to see our little one when they leave the nest. Beautiful!!
Great post. Love the little birds!
Absolutely, positively wonderful series of Blues. They are ready any time.
Must be serious overcrowding in that nest.
All bluebird shots from an angle show a sweet lovely bird. All I have seen taken dead on, show a ticked off bird.
I am never tired of the blues, keep them coming.
Wow, Betsy. Great photos of this wonderful family. So nice that everyone helps. I understand how you could sit with the camera at the ready -- all day! (I do that myself somedays.)
Keeping an eye on those birds was much more important than yard work! I am so glad you have your priorities straight. LOL!!
Great pics!
Wow,you must be tired from all that hard work.LOL.I would have done the same thing.After all, like you said,someone has to do it.Hope they wait to fledge until you get out there again.Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,Ruth
Definitely more fun than housework! I love all of your pictures. Daddy Bluebird sure looks handsome in your last picture with the dark background behind his head.
I am so excited they are ready to see the world! I bet they return as they have a beautiful and safe place to enjoy.
How wonderful. Amazing!
What a way to spend a saturday Betsy!! that is much harder than cleaning toilets?!??
So glad all the babies are well and on their way to make more bluebird babies for you to watch and skip out on boring chores!! Gosh, I need some bluebird babies in my yard. :)
Suz
Fun post! Must be a tough choice for the babies. On the one hand...er...wing...there's food delivered like clockwork. But on the other, if you fledge, you get out of that crowded nest sooner!!
Hi Betsy;) what an episode. Please keep the pictures and sequence coming. Daddy is a strikingly handsome chap. And I love the co-operative feeding. Too cute, like older brother/sister feeding the babies. I believe that your next post will have photos of the babies fledging. They are that obliging and of course, George is a honey and will do your chores while you capture this happy event for us! (LOL) Hugs Jo
Betsy, these are wonderful! I don't think anyone could ever get tired of seeing them.
Keep looking!
They are keeping you waiting huh. You got somemore great shots of them. They are so cute and serious looking.
You'll have to get a video camera and a tri-pod set up to keep an eye on this family.
♥
Joy
oh, they're adorable!!!! i'd just finished a blog on robins because there's a nest perched on my windowsill at the moment - it is the cutest! thank you, ma'am, for this, and i shall be visiting again soon, if you don't mind. God bless!
It is hard work watching and documenting your bluebird babies! lol! Glad the Blue Jays weren't able to bother them! I just love the photos of the babies peeking out!
Hugs, Shelley
I am so very glad I found your blog. After having the two male robins here in January and now a male and female, I am beside myself with glee at reading your post today. Its wonderful! Thanks for sharing, it made my day.
Your day was well spent. The photos are great!
Anticipation is right!!! They all but fledged! Lovely pics. I'm glad you spend the day outdoors photographing these cuties!
I missed a family of robins fledging too. I thought I would see them - but somehow, I was too late. Oh well- I did get to see the chickadees earlier in the summer.
Hope you don't miss these bluebirds.
I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for them to fledge also !!
Oh I hope you get to see them, you have such patience, and I'm sure they regard you as family member by now ;)
Thanks for taking and sharing these pictures, they are just heartwarming.
"Anticipation" is certainly the right word, with a little "patience" mixed in. I sure hope you get to see the momentous event. Such sweet pictures!
Betsy how wonderful to be able to sit and watch this brood so closely! So exciting I'm sure to be so up close and personal!They are a beautiful bird..I've not seen one here so thank you for posting!
Oh, what great pictures, Betsy! You know, those weeds and dirty bathrooms can wait---but little birds about to fly into the world can't. :-) I find sitting and watching birds to be so calming and restful---better than a visit to the spa. Your time on the deck was well spent.
I especially like the 2nd one, Betsy, where the two of them are looking out of the nest. Great pictures.
I'm glad you took advantage of the wonderful drama unfolding before your eyes! Not everyone has opportunities like this and I, for one, am glad you share this with us through your photo journal! What amazing patience you have! I enjoyed the way the birds look at you when you are taking their picture. Somehow, to me, birds just never look happy - their mouth always downturned, lol.
Thanks again!
Great pics, Betsy. Never get tired of them. Love those Blues.
Betsy, I could never get tired of these photos. So wonderful. They looked like they were about to fledge any minute. I hope you catch them! :-)
Betsy,
I will never grow tired of photos of these beautiful little birds. Thank you for all the hard work and sacrifice to bring these pics to your readers. As you said someone has to do it.
They are beautiful and it has been so much fun watching them grow.
Judy
No way could I get tired of your bluebird posts. I oved every photo.
What a wonderful thing to observe! We don't always get to see the day to day stuff in a bird family's life. Wonderful!
Love all the Bluebird photos. Checked the house in Rockwood this morning. All babies are gone. I am also wondering if we will have babies again this year. I don't seem to be in New Market enough to even know what is going on there.
Leedra’s Photos For Fun
Your photos of the blue birds are amazing, Betsy. Thanks foe sharing :D
Fun to see the babies all crowded in the nest, probably wondering when and how they were going to get out of there!
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