Violet-green Swallow With Insects Ready To Feed Nestlings all photos by Larry Jordan
After following that Red-shouldered Hawk (below) at Lema Ranch, I had enough time to make the loop back around Lema Pond and Hidden Pond to where my car was parked before heading home. Well, at least that was the plan.
As I started back, I heard two swallows chattering back and forth. I stopped to observe and what do you think I found? A pair of Violet-green Swallows feeding their cavity nesting young! I went back the next morning to get the photo above, but I captured this one right then.
They were feeding the nestlings about every 5 to 10 minutes so I knew they were close to fledging. The next morning, bright and early, I went back to watch by the early morning sunlight. It was a beautiful, cool, sunlit morning and I was lucky enough to watch the entire show.
I saw a nestling peeking out occasionally and the adults were feeding them less often. They were more often, hanging around near the nest cavity with food, trying to entice the youngsters out. The adults made a few more excursions for insects and before I knew it, the youngsters were out flying around and preening.
It is such an honor to witness nature unfold before your very eyes. Watch, listen, observe. You will be amazed at the things nature will teach you.
To observe more natural wonders, head on over to Bird Photography Weekly where you can witness nature from all over the planet.
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What a fantastic experience to watch the young ones take their first flight! Even better that you got photos to share with the rest of us – thanks!
.-= Mick´s last blog ..Early Morning Beside the Bay. =-.
Beautiful Swallows so different to ours, thanks for sharing your experience.
.-= Neil´s last blog ..White-cheeked Honeyeater. =-.
Great photos, Larry. And you were lucky enough to see them fledge – how often does that happen? Very cool!
.-= Wren´s last blog ..Bird Photography Weekly: Retrospective Lifer =-.
@Mick you’re very welcome. One of my favorite things is finding nesting birds in the Spring and being able to follow their progress. It makes it pretty easy once you know where they will be for at least two or three weeks 😉
@Neil, my pleasure. This was as close to a Violet-green Swallow I had ever been
@Wren lucky indeed. It doesn’t happen as often as I would like
The photos are incredible and what an experience. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Bird photography Weekly 46 Tree Swallow =-.
I love the way you have captured that irridescent green on its feathers. Amand has some lovely Swallows this week too.
.-= Arija´s last blog ..BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKLY ~ 17 =-.
Larry, you are always so lucky in finding bird’s nests. More so with the Violet-Green Swallow which are my favorite swallows.
.-= bob k´s last blog ..Some Walking =-.