skip to main content

2nd Nest Fledglings - Photos

15 years ago

Hi all,

The fledglings from our 2nd nesting have gradually been coming nearer over the past 5 days. We've shot them from afar ever since they left the box, but we're just now starting to get close enuf for some better photos.

{{!gwi}}

We ran out of mealworms several days ago, but Missy and Mr.B are still coming for nuggets, and feeding them to the new brood. Hopefully we'll get some nice closeups on the deck soon.

Kenn :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

janie_may
15 years ago
Great photos, Kenn!
donnalovesblue
15 years ago
Awesome pics AS USUAL!!!
Related Discussions
To prune or not to prune a 2nd year GoldRush tree?
Q
Comments (11)
Never was able to see the actual photos but fruitnut's advice sounds right to me. With Goldrush you are best off maintaining a surplus of scaffolds even when it starts bearing. Gradually thin them as tree fills out with secondary branching. Goldrush usually needs to be coaxed to spread as it bears lots of fruit on thin wood, weighs the branches down and they loose vigor. The vast majority of varieties I manage are best pruned as little as possible until trees start bearing, generally removing nothing but oversized (diameter-wise) branches. For some spurry and precoscious varieties (Goldrush, Braeburn, Empire, Ark Black) a 2-1 ratio is best but more vigorous varieties like Fuji, Northern Spy, and Baldwin are better pruned by eliminating all branches more than a third the diameter of the trunk at point of attachment. Fuji will bear earlier IME if you thin surplus scaffolds before it starts bearing because it is so vigorous and weedy that it doesn't bring adequate light to its spurs. Summer pruning helps with trees like this also. I'm talking about the third or 4th year of a semi-dwarf to standard, vigorous, not yet bearing tree.
...See More
? about 2nd nesting
Q
Comments (8)
Bluebirds have many vocalizations. They sing, warble, "danger" call, even chirp for various reasons. During courtship they might both sing. I've heard the adults make baby sounds when they come for mealworms. I've heard the male sing very softly and quietly nearby for hours while the female is incubating eggs. I've heard a female call for her mate all day long at the top of the highest tree, after he went missing during a terrible hailstorm. As fledglings grow older, their calls change, and when fledging time is near, the parents call to them to encourage them as they tease them with food, and maybe even tell them where to fly to. It amazes me when I see a fledgling pop out on their very first flight, and make an immediate U-turn in mid-air up to the woods--how did they know to do that? I recently purchased a little recorder, and hope to be able to share some of these sounds someday, maybe to go along with some of the stunning photos many of you post here. If only that UPS truck would quiet its brakes! That screeeeech is piercing my ears! BlueBars
...See More
3rd nest underway - 1st & 2nd nester photos
Q
Comments (3)
What a bunch of cuties!! Lucky you to get three nestings!! We have one box of TRES that fledged 5 here in the yard, a box of 2 Blues at the park that fledged and my 4 Dees here in my yard should be going any day now. Have four Blues babies in the box that are six days old today. Two more boxes of TRES in the yard with babies and two at the park with babies then I have two pairs of TRES nestbuilding yet after loosing their first brood to the cold weather we had a week+ ago. Weather has now been nice and warm. Donna Donna
...See More
Fledgling photos......
Q
Comments (19)
Debbie 321 Ok debbie you made me go look up the definition of a SLR, didn't like it, Anyway there are two types of cameras: One is a point and shoot,they are small, limited in accessories, and you can not change the lens on them, though some will zoom out there quiet far and some you can get add on lens, generally a lens that screws on the end of the camera lens, generally enlarging the image to twice the size. They are cost effective and some are really good, I don't have one but have been thinking of getting a good cheap one to take landscape pictures. The other one an SLR, is a Single reflex Camera, that's the official definition, basically what you see through the viewfinder is what you get. The image comes through the lens and is bounced off a mirror, when you look through the view finder you actually see the mirror, and what you see is what you get. I've always consider an SLR as being a camera that you can take the lens off and put on another lens, but under the definition there are some point and shoot that could be consider an SLR. Most SLR's you can buy a bunch of accessories for them. The only thing about them though is they cost about 3-4 times the cost of a point and shoot. I hope that explain a little about what an SLR is. Let me add there are some remote controls that use the same technology as a TV remote, an IR light, which you can't see. You have to point the remote at the camera as you do a TV, They are ok for cameras when your looking at the front of camera, but are a waste of money if you've got the camera pointed out a window, and your behind the camera. Almost impossible to get that IR beam to reflect off of something and hit the camera sensor. That's something I learned the hard way, believe me I tried positioning mirrors in front of the camera, never could get it just right. Keith
...See More
kenn3d
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks,

So yesterday and today we get our wish...
I think we did capture all 5 of our 2nd-nest fledglings
...On Deck:

Needless to say we are delighted to see them all! We hope you will be too.

Kenn :)

Here is a link that might be useful: New - All Bluebird Gallery (hi-res)
bridget_bb
15 years ago
Kenn,
Your last shot reminds us of the cartoon with foghorn leghorn in it and the little chicken hawk...
"And I'm the chicken hawk and your the chicken"
HA HA HA..... Great pics.
mullipuff
15 years ago
And it reminds me of that "Mad Bluebird" picture that you see all over the place. Great pics of the bebes.
dzyg
15 years ago
Kenn, these last shots are awesome. You must have been pretty close to them too, great feather detail!! Love that last shot!!

Hey, I put Bluebird nuggets out today along with mealworms and I think the Blues thought I was nuts or something. LOL! You are lucky yours will eat that stuff, mine won't.

Donna
kenn3d
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks all,

Donna - I think the nuggets may be an "acquired taste". Ours didn't take to them at first either. But over time they've all become rather fond of them... coming thruout the day for them. Even when there are mealies available they'll have a nugget instead on occasion.

And they do feed them to the fledglings also:

Kenn :)
blake1112
15 years ago
Kenn, three words to these pictures... WOW, WOW, WOW!!!

These are absolutely amazing. I can't stop staring at these pictures.
bluebirdbabe
15 years ago
Oh my gosh!!! The mad baby blue picture is priceless. I can't stop looking at it. That picture is the best I have seen. Just adorable!!!

Karen
kenn3d
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone,

We are so delighted to see so many fledglings up close everyday now. Here are just few more taken in recent days.

This little one sits atop the nestbox (which contains 5 more eggs in Missy's 3rd nest), and calls to Mom who's perched on the spooker:

This one is on the deck rail waiting for a spot to open up at the mealworm bowl:

And for those of you who liked the "mad bluebird" shot, here's another wet fledgling up close:

We're about 5 days away from the hatching of clutch #3, but we're still seeing all 8 of the fledges from the first two nests.

oh joy,

Kenn :)
debbie321
15 years ago
Gosh those are GREAT pictures! You must have a GREAT camera!

Related Stories

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

REMODELING GUIDES Nesting Boxes: Houses With Homes of Their Own

Framing one box with another creates a whole new style of modern indoor-outdoor living

MORE ROOMS Creating Nests in Open-Plan Spaces

The cool-weather nesting season is just around the corner. Here's how to cozy up a wide expanse of space

ATTICS Room of the Day: Awkward Attic Becomes a Happy Nest

By Becky Harris

In this master bedroom, odd angles and low ceilings go from challenge to advantage

LIFE 8 Ways to Make an Extra-Full Nest Work Happily

By Laura Gaskill

If multiple generations or extended family shares your home, these strategies can help you keep the peace

MORE ROOMS How to Create a Nest at Home

See the 9 ways to know when you have the perfect nestle-in space

OUTBUILDINGS Birdie's Nest: Storybook Style Makes for a Marvelous Playhouse

By Becky Harris

Enter an adorable mini home with just enough room for tea parties, play cooking and snuggly story times

SMALL HOMES Houzz Tour: A New York Blogger's Cozy Family Nest

By Vanessa Brunner

A Manhattan apartment for a young family with a toddler charms with creative arrangements, flea market scores and personal touches

PETS Hens Nest in Style in a Modern Nevada Coop

By Vanessa Brunner

Take a mini tour of a backyard chicken coop built by a pro designer with all the essentials for the 'clients' and then some

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Create Nests: Treat Yourself to a Protected Walkway

Turn a garden path into an exploration of inviting nooks and beautiful views

Sponsored

More Discussions

Bluebirds never leave North Texas boxes.

0