Tree Swallow male, Tachycineta bicolor
Tree Swallow female
(click to enlarge!)
Come along in Red Canoe as she explores the quiet backwater of Ohio's State Parks and the scenic streams and rivers of the Midwest. Discover the beauty hidden beyond the water's edge, quietly waiting, past access points, often only inches deep!
Come browse my photography site, Nature Remains: nothing but a photograph, for full-page slide shows of my favorite images and opportunities to purchase them.
In Spring of 2008, I began the study of 2 vernal pools on my property as part of the Ohio Vernal Pool Partnership monitoring program.
My 2008 journal includes the first photos and findings, as I studied this fascinating wetland area just a few steps beyond my backdoor...
2009 photos and findings,
2010,... again!
Now, 4 years later, another season is just days away!
Travel beyond the Midwest has taken me to some beautiful places. Usually off the beaten track, these places are WILD!
Acadia National Park
New River Nature Festival
Olympic National Park
Pictured Rocks and the UP
Voyageurs National Park
(click on the text above each photo for a quick get-away)
A regularly appearing feature, "Have you seen..." takes a closer, more patient look at things usually not seen in a flattering light.
Take a look!
Each spring, as winter lessens its grip and days warm with the first fragrant breezes of a new season, we collect sap from our Sugar Maples and produce just enough syrup for ourselves for the coming year.
The progress of this year's backyard endeavor is illustrated here.
Summer 2008, the tiny jewel of the avian world, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, nested just feet from my front door. Pictures of her nest and the changing lives within are collected in this journal.
From life the size of a pea....
Cats that come to stay
(click on the text above each photo for stories in these collections)
25 comments:
"He's like this every time Idol is on."
"What do you MEAN you don't KNOW what box you packed it in?!?"
"I told you we should have asked for directions!"
WHAT !!! --- you FORGOT your toothbrush !!
I hope you're enlarging the last photo--the expressions on the faces is tooo much!
The one getting yelled at looks like he is saying,
"La la la la la....I'm not listeninnnnnnnng!"
I tell ya, Nina. Our houses have some sort of bird/bug connection. Our TRES showed up today checking out our gourds!
"Maybe if I close my eyes, the yammering will stop."
"Maybe if I close my eyes, the yammering will stop."
Just wonderful! You pictured them so well. Hope they are not throwen out in the end. What happen to their old box, and do they not make their own nests? You see, I don't know tree swallows, but I think it's interesting anyway. Thank you for sharing!
Elisabeth--Tree Swallows are categorized as "cavity nesters," meaning they use a hole, usually within a dead tree, as the space within which to construct their nest. They will collect grasses and feathers from the surrounding area and form a nice, soft area within this box to raise their brood.
Some birds, like woodpeckers, excavate their own holes, and build within them. Others, like tree Swallows and Bluebirds, use the holes left by others.
Nest boxes are a way to provide nesting sites in areas where, either through habitat loss (homeowners often cut down dead trees) or competition (European Starlings and House Sparrows are invasive here) native birds may struggle to successfully raise young each spring.
These birds are migratory, going south for the winter, and returning here when it warms in the spring to breed.
Same picture...2 quotes.
"I fly all this way and all you can find is a 'Fixer-Er-Upper'"
"And while you are at it, I want a new bed and don't forget to paint the walls blue"
"I'm not cleaning this house....again!"
"You have GOT to be kidding! I TOLD you I wanted a new nest box, this is NOT A NEW NEST BOX!!!Mother said you would always pretend you couldn't hear me and I see she was right!! DON'T you turn away from me you.. you.. you swallow you!"
What awesome photos Nina!! Ha! The one does seem to be yelling at the other one.
Who knew swallows could be hen-pecked...
These are all great but I like Susan's: la la la la la I'm not listening to you.....
:o)
That last pic is SO PRICELESS!
Still laughing
don't have a caption but sure saw some good ones
Nina, this photo is priceless. Of course she is saying "I told you I wanted vinyl siding not wood."
Mrs. Swallow (right): "And another thing ..."
Mr. Swallow (left): (thinking) "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia." ~Kathi
"Pay him no mind, he thinks he's Susan Boyle."
"I tawt I taw a puddy tat"
Excellent picture Nina
The neighbors must think my name is WHEREINTHEHAYULLYOUBEEN?
I love tree swallows! They look so clean and fresh!
As for a caption:
"Herbert! I told you to check out the neighborhood before we moved in!"
Sorry Nina, I don't have a caption, but that last photo is priceless. Assuming the female is the one doing the yelling, the male is just taking whatever she's dishin' out - taking the "in one ear, out the other" approach. I think they're going to need to get along better than that if they expect to raise a successful brood!
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