Yesterday was an almost perfect, sunny and dry day. A male Bluebird was perched high on a tree, calling the babies to come out and try flying.
Meanwhile, Mamma Bluebird was still carrying out fecal sacs.
Seeing that, I thought it would be several more days until the babies start fledging. Then a young one poked its head out.
It chirped, its parents called, and then it jumped out, landed on the grass with parents in tow. Quickly it flew away with the parents, a beautiful threesome. The only bad thing was that I was caught flat footed and did not have time to take any shot!
After a few minutes, another baby appeared in the birdhouse entry hole. It made plaintive calls asking for food.
Soon enough, Daddy flew in with a juicy worm.
It could have been a different youngster.
Marsi said:
Wow – outstanding images! Thank you for sharing this sweet moment of nature.
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Sandra J. Jackson said:
Great pictures! Fecal sac? Never heard of it before, but I have learned something new and will learn more when I read your other post. 😀
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bayphotosbydonna said:
Exciting, happy news with the first fledgling! Wonderful post, I am so glad you got to see it happen and tell us about it! Amazing shots, Hien! Your last photo and caption gave me a laugh, thanks!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Donna! It helped to have that birdhouse so close to our deck, and the Bluebirds did not seem to mind me taking their photos, as long as I did not get too close.
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Julie@frogpondfarm said:
Wow these are super photos! It must be a real treat having this family at your place 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
It was a real treat while they were nesting just a few feet from our deck. Now they are gone, and things are so quiet! 🙂
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RV John said:
Nice group of behavior shots!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks John!
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Jessica Hagan said:
Wow!!!!!! So incredible!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Jessica. Glad you like them.
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Lignum Draco said:
I’ve not been fortunate to watch a bird take flight for the first time. What a great experience to witness.
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neihtn2012 said:
That was a first for me. It felt good but I froze and did not bring up the camera in time to photograph that first flight. 🙂
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Gunta said:
Looks like diaper duty may soon be at an end for awhile! What a shame you missed the first fledge. But looks like you may get other chances.
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neihtn2012 said:
You are right, this pair may have another brood before the summer is over!
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Robert said:
Amazing photography! Really!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Robert!
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Eliza Waters said:
Great shots, Hien! How exciting you were there to witness the take-off!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Eliza!
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allentimphotos2 said:
These are great shots Hien.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Tim!
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dreamingthruthetwilight said:
Amazing photographs and what a close knit family that is. What is a feacal sac and how is it indicative of the chicks being ready to take off?
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neihtn2012 said:
A prior post explains what fecal sacs are: https://neihtn.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/no-plumbing-or-why-parenting-is-a-hard-job/
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katelon said:
Wonderful photos! It’s been so fun to watch this cycle of life in your photo captures.
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Jet Eliot said:
Truly spectacular series of photographs, Hien. What you were able to capture here happens so quickly, and they strive to be stealthy for safety, so this is astounding what you got. And on top of that, a remarkable miracle of life here. Thanks so much.
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petergreyphotography said:
Wonderfully captured! My admiration for those parent birds grows skyhigh.
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rabirius said:
Excellent
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks!
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