Sunday, April 12, 2009

More Tree Swallows…

…these little guys were so friendly and entertaining, I could have stood there all day snapping away...and I did stay there quite a while, so I have enough Tree Swallow photos to last all month! Yeah! But I won’t do that…but maybe just a few more interesting shots...









Mama sits on the eggs for 13-16 days, and the 
babies remain in the nest for another 16-24 
days. Mama and papa both feed the babies.

20 comments:

  1. Fantastic shots, love the one looking into the camera :o)

    Debbie

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  2. They are all interesting Kelly and they are not easy to get as I know from our Swallows.

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  3. Awesome shots of such an adorable bird. I have been trying like crazy to get good photos of these guys but they are too quick!

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  4. You were so lucky to get such tight and focused shots of them! Man, but they are fast. :c) Great job!

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  5. You captured some beautiful shots! I especially like the one when he's looking right at you! These guys move so fast - I think its so hard to catch them w/ the camera!

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  6. Nice shots, especially the close-up of the one in flight! Our Swallows don't seem to be back yet.

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  7. Look like quite the aerial acrobats! And from all accounts, great photos! Such lovely birds, no wonder you could have stayed there all day!

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  8. such beautiful birds....will enjoy all the photos you post of them.

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  9. Great photos Kelly!! Love them in flight. It's hard to catch them that way at times. The only swallows I've ever seen was when I was a kid and they were in my grandfather's barn. I never knew there were blue ones!! So pretty!!

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  10. Thanks, everyone. I was lucky taking these photos. Normally I can't catch them in flight, but they were hanging around so I focused on the birdhouse and waited for them to hover over it...and snapped! I doubt I'll get any more opportunities like that (I also upped my ISO)!

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  11. Beautiful shots. I especially like the one in flight. Well done!

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  12. Great action sequences. They are fun birds to watch aren't they?

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  13. Beautiful shots. Swallows are some of the toughtest to shoot.

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  14. Uncommon...thank you!

    Larry...so much fun, and when one almost landed on me, that was awesome!

    Steve...thank you! I was lucky to catch them in mid-flight. Usually I don't!

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  15. Wow! What shots of the birds in flight. I can't wait 'till the chicks take wing!

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  16. Terrific Tree Swallow images. Great color.

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  17. A nice series of photos Kelly. (Have you figured out yet that I'm just now getting caught up with your blog?!) That next to last picture, with the swallow looking right at you, is absolutely precious. I still haven't gotten any good looks at Tree Swallows around here yet this spring.

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  18. Kathie...thanks! I'll be there at least twice a week, so I should be able to catch the babies at some point...I hope!

    John...Thank you! The sun was perfect and lit up their feathers! I'm always looking for new bird books to read, so I'll have to get the book you just reviewed on your site. It looks good!

    Heather...the swallows were so tame. It was one of the best swallow experiences I've had. I really thought the one bird was going to land on me. Next time, I'm bringing a chair and parking for a while!!

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  19. Hi Kelly! In Spain (or elsewhere in Europe) there is no species of bird that nest in holes, the majority built their nests of mud (Hirundo, Delichon, Ptyonoprgne) or tunnels dug in the sand (Riparia). I find it very curious that occupy the nest boxes, it's amazing! Gathering information when I wrote a post on my blog (http://chajurdo.blogspot.com/2008/11/qu-fue-primero-el-barro-o-el-agujero.html) on the origin of the nests of the swallows (did the first swallows built their nests of mud or occupied holes?), I discovered that in the United States and Canada installing large nest boxes (cities hanging!) for these species ... I felt great! You've achieved some excellent images, I especially like the birds in flight! Greetings!

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  20. Atanasio...I just saw your comment, and checked out the link. I love seeing the photo of the little bird with the mud...what a little worker he is!! The definitely have it easier here by just moving into a premade nestbox!

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