BEAUTIFUL shots, Dave! My first and most beloved female was definitely the adult who drove off the 1st and 2nd groups of fledglings! It broke my heart to watch her take them to the ground over and over till they finally got the hint and left. You're right, they have such a sweet and shy presence......it's down-right shocking to see them behave in an aggressive manor! Yep, they ROCK!

Thanks for the reminder Ray. While we never let our cat outdoors, a lot of the neighbors do. I have a good sized (8") wobbling stovepipe guard and have never had a cat, raccoon, or snake get into one of my boxes. The conduit pipe and good guard are extremely important.

That is just so awesome. Not just to have the same female return, but to absolutely know it is her because of her unique color. I'm certain I have a different pair this year because they are very shy around me and don't come to the mealworm feeder when I call them. They won't go near it for about half an hour after I fill it. Also, this is the first pair I've ever had that built their nest out of short pine needles. In the past they have always used the long pine needles or grass.

Sure, it's normal. Often the male will bring food to her while she sits. Just give them time. Females can sometimes be quite brave while on the nest, but it's best to give them some space. Try checking the box once a week to track the progress.