I couldn't believe it this morning when I discovered another nesting box (this one sitting in the midst of a glossy buckthorn bush) - with tree swallows still in residence! I caught two little heads peeking out of the entrance hole, and then one of the parents as it landed at the entrance.
This is one of my favorite shots of the year so far. Yesterday I was watching the tree swallows sweeping around, and noticed that some seemed to be feeding their fledgling offspring in mid-air. One of the juveniles happened to land on a tree branch, so I just focused on it and waited for mom (or dad) to deliver breakfast, and this is what resulted.
Remember the tree swallow nesting box that sits in the small wild apple tree? This morning I noticed a tree swallow perched on a branch of the tree. You can see the little apples that are beginning to form.
On this morning's walk, when I neared the tree swallow nesting box that stands in the midst of a small apple tree - now in full bloom - I noticed it was occupied, and this swallow was peering out. She chose one of the prettiest nesting sites in the neighborhood!
Yesterday morning I came upon dozens and dozens of tree swallows swooping about, landing in the trees and the tall grasses in the marsh, buzzing around me. It was magical. The top shot shows a number who perched along a cane, while the bottom shot shows one which landed on one of the nesting boxes. I nearly deleted that shot as I wasn't satisfied with the quality, but decided to try a 'poster edges' filter on it, and was pleased with the effect.
This is more like it. This morning there were several pairs of tree swallows gracefully swooping about at the marsh, singing their joyful songs, enjoying the warm temperatures - just in time to provide lunch on the wing. Although this one landed on one of the nesting boxes, it isn't thinking about nesting yet. Apparently they are slow to nest, May being the usual month.
This morning as I was passing some of the tree swallow nesting boxes, I was thinking to myself that I should be seeing the tree swallows any day now (last year I saw the first one on April 6th), when I heard the musical notes of a tree swallow, I kid you not. A pair swooped by in front of me, and this one landed (back to, sorry) for a fleeting moment on a twig. I hope the double-digit temperatures forecast for next week bring out the insects, or these birds will have slim pickings.
This morning it was still quite foggy around the marsh, but nice and calm. As I was walking along the path I spied a juvenile tree swallow perched on a Curly Dock stem at the water's edge. There were a number of adult swallows swooping about, catching insects on the wing. The above sequence is a great example of body language telling a story. In the top photo, the little fellow spotted me, but I'm sure had one eye on mom or dad swooping about. He suddenly lifted up and opened his beak wide, ready to be fed one of those juicy insects. Unfortunately, he was disappointed, and he settled back down on the stem, appearing rather downcast.
Just before entering the wooded section of the trail I caught a glimpse of what I believe was a mink with something, perhaps a mouse, in its jaws. It sped across the path and into the tall grass, too quickly for me to get a shot, darn.
This year's tree swallow crop (fledglings) are starting to be seen around the marsh. I thought some must have left their nesting boxes, as I was dive-bombed by two adults last evening when I visited the marsh. This morning I caught these two youngsters perched on a limb.
Tree Swallows are a common sight at the marsh. There are 20 nesting boxes placed around the perimeter, and this year they all seem to be occupied. This one, seen on May 14th, was obviously in nest-building mode.
