Barn Swallows fledge

Towards the end of June I noticed a nest that had been built above my garden tractor on one of the rafters of the old drive shed. The droppings from that nest indicated it had been well used. - the nest not the tractor. I went out to mow the lawns and when I returned a couple of hours later- there were these tiny white shells on the ground.

(I must recommend looking up when you park your car or tractor during bird nesting time... there was quite a mess on the hood of my tractor that morning.)

It didn't take long for the babies to fledge. That post and one later on June 26 was the last I mentioned of the little ones and there was a pretty dreadful photograph of one baby poking its little yellow beak over the edge of the nest. It amazes me how quickly they grow and outgrow their nest.

A week later - or maybe ten days, I walked into the drive shed only to be bombarded by what seemed like a hundred little swallows determined to chase me out. When I managed to stand still and look up - here is what I saw.

Two remaining fledglings getting ready to leave the nest. The rest I assume, with their parents, were urging these two to get on with it.

Here are the other two who had already braved the big wide world and flown to this nearby beam, then attacked me. Mum or dad is in the background.

A few days later, the whole family disappeared. I would see them around, flashing in and out of the trees along the road allowance as they sought insects on the fly, but they never came back to the drive shed. This is the second year in a row that barn swallows have nested here.

It's supposed to be good luck, but neighbours who have had them attempting to build on porches over exterior lights have been most discouraging to the mating couple. So I guess they figured my place was the next best option.

What a lot of fun this has been watching these babies develop so quickly. Actually the tree swallows are the same. A mating pair, in and out of a nest box, chasing away suspected intruders (including my poor bluebirds for whom the boxes were erected in the first place, but you can't fight mother nature) and then suddenly there are eggs. Seven of the 13 boxes had nests. One tree swallow pair decided to move in next door to the bluebirds. One pair of bluebirds built a nest only to be chased away by swallows who constructed their own feather-lined shallow container on top of the elaborate grassy structure created by the pair of optimists. But there were at least three baby bluebirds from the relocated nest.

While I got photographs of many of the tree-swallow eggs - I didn't capture the babies - every time I approached the nest boxes the adults would swarm me. One time another group of fledglings attacked and I had to put up my hand to keep them from hitting my head... not something I would relish trying to remove a bird from my hair.

So now they are all gone, though I occasionally see swallows around. If they haven't begun migration yet they will soon. I've seen the starlings and other blackbirds swarming. Fall is approaching.

Aren't we lucky to have the changing seasons and all they bring with them here in Canada?

Technology vs. nature

Lately my computer has been balky and I haven't been able to get onto the internet when I've wanted to. I've often had to postpone posting to this blog.

On thinking about it though, it may be nature, not technology...we've had huge storms some riddled with thunder and lightning. And heavy humid air hangs about.

So I've found an escape from my frustration with technology...I run away.

Well I really just walk outside.

I gaze at my pond and watch the fishes play, rolling and chasing each other in the bubbles and currents from the little pond fountain and waterfall. I listen to the birds and watch the trees bending in the wind...and sometimes I get really lucky and everything turns calm, as it did the evening I took this photograph.

The dogs and I wandered along the pathways, the sun just beginning to colour the skies and as I past a nest box I was bombarded by a large number of tree swallows - the babies had fledged! They flew around excitedly. Their thrill at being in the air, swooping, diving swerving and floating was palpable.

I wandered on and as I got closer to the drive shed, I noticed one little fellow on this nest box. It didn't fly very far and was calling the same twitter over and over - obviously concerned about my presence but not secure enough to reach for the skies as its siblings had. As I walked by the box, it moved to one of the arches that mark entries to the pasture from the mown lawn, not twenty feet away, still watching me but with its head twisting and searching the area for help, calling and calling.

Finally as we moved away it flew back to its home nest box and continued to search for its siblings... gradually they returned. They surrounded the young bird and it gained confidence, soaring in the air alongside its buddies and nest mates.

That little adventure was enough to absorb my thoughts and divert my concentration. Technology be darned. The computer would have to wait.

The dogs and I continued to meander around the property, until I became restless and the weeds begged me to remove them from their confines in the garden. I happily obliged as Bliss and Spirit flopped onto the grass nearby.

I've found that a tour of the property whenever technology is less than cooperative, gives me perspective as well as respite. Like Catherine Ross - whose post today on Capture the Soul inspired me - I feel renewed and refreshed when I spend time outside with my bare feet buried in grass, hay and sometimes mud, enjoying nature.

Hope you have some time today to renew yourself in the way that gives you the most refreshment and happiness.