Working a golf tournament with several bird houses scattered throughout the fescue, I thought I saw a head poking out of one of the boxes. I grabbed my camera and zoomed in and while trying to focus on the little one, something flew into and out of the lens view very quickly. I just automatically clicked the shutter when it flew into the view of the lens but had no idea what it was till I played back the photo!
Tree swallow babies being fed
Lovely white eggs nestled in a cozy chicken feather nest. Notice the bit of pink ribbon – not sure how she found that!
This youngster was very adamant about getting fed. Right after this the parent flew by and dumped a wasp-like insect into the youngster’s mouth.
Within the last days before the tree swallow chicks fledge, the adults will perch nearby to call to the chicks before flying off to hunt for insects. In response to the adults the chicks, within one day of fledging, they will come to the opening of the nest box to call for food.
Season after season Tree swallows raise their babies up in the vent, on the outer wall of the kitchen several feet above the ground. When I got to see the bird parents flying in and out of the vent I knew that they were building a nest there. I took photos in mornings, mid day and the evenings. Tree swallows are the swiftest birds, I have ever seen. Not easy to photograph. With my camera with telephoto lens mounted on a tripod, I took photos. Devout parents take turn to incubate and feed. Two cute little babies are peeping out to take a good look of the world outside while waiting for their parents’ visit
Season after season Tree swallows raise their babies up in the vent, on the outer wall, several feet above the ground. With ruptured tendons in my legs I cannot climb a ladder. I take photos in morning, mid day and the evenings. Tree swallows are the swiftest birds I have ever seen. I take photos With my camera with telephoto lens mounted on a tripod. Devout parents take turn to incubate and feed. Look at the hungry babies with wide open mouths and the parent feeding.
Mom and Dad swallow find the right home for their nest
A tree swallow chose the barrel of an old U.S. Army cannon, outside the American Legion Post, to nest this June.
Season after season Tree swallows raise their babies up in the vent, on the outer wall, several feet above the ground. With ruptured tendons in my legs I cannot climb up a ladder. When I got to see the bird parents flying in and out the vent I knew that they were building a nest there. I took photos in mornings, mid day and the evenings. Tree swallows are the swiftest birds, I have ever seen. Not easy to photograph. With my camera with telephoto lens mounted on a tripod, I took photos of the parents, babies with their mouths open to be fed and also when the bird babies flew away from the nest. Devout parents take turn to incubate and feed. This a is a fully developed baby, first day outside the nest. It took some time and deep breaths before fledging. Does he (She?) not look cute?
Racoon baffles make a comfy spot for vigilant swallows
These newly fledged Tree Swallows were still being fed by their parents. This was a very windy day; not a good day for newly fledged Swallows to be trying to catch their own food. The parents were very busy catching insects and feeding these fledglings. I watched several feedings before getting this one where the adult does not land. What was even more interesting was no matter which adult was feeding, all the babies got an even share.
The Tree Swallow parents were catching dragonflies and stuffing them whole into this youngster’s mouth.
This baby swallow jumped and flapped her wings every time the mom flew off to fetch more food.
This adult whene and gone for feeding the youngs.
This picture breaks my heart every time I think about it. The young tree swallow was trying to get its parents’ attention after it had fallen from the nest. It was in an area where not only could I not reach the bird, there was no way to get it back to the nest. I fear the tiny thing died soon after.
An adult tree swallow feeds one of its chicks a dragonfly. This lucky chick was receiving double rations because its sibling fell from the feeder box at Potter Marsh, Alaska, and could not get the parents’ attention.
a memorable moment while photographing tree swallows on nest boxes in a local audobon sanctuary. found an egret feather was found and it was instant chaos as just about the entire colony wanted it! As soon as one would claim it and get it to a box, another would steal it. Often 2 or more birds would battle over it in mid air. The mob of sparrows managed to place this feather in at least 6 different boxes before the prize was finally claimed by one lucky pair.
This was the first time I was able to see the Tree Swallow chicks peeking out of their nest. Both Parents were spending time taking turns to feed them. Photo taken in Derry, NH 5/16