Lunch time!

Lunch time for these little cuties lasts all day and into the evening, rain or shine. We currently having at least three red-throated hummingbirds living in the area who jockey for position at the feeder with the male usually acting as king-of-the-hill. The females outsmart him now and then however, and one of them also shows some aggression if another female tries to feed at the same time. It isn't as if there aren't portals so they could all feed at once!
I know, I know, all I seem to post lately are bird pictures. But I find them fascinating during the summer. We currently have the third pair of bluebirds nesting in the bird house, she's sitting on four beautiful little blue eggs right now. They should be hatching soon. With any luck at all for this brood we will have had a round dozen fledging from the birdhouse this summer.

Would You Believe?

I can hardly believe it myself. We usually have two bluebird nestings per season in the little house in the backyard, and we've had two already this year, with a total of 8 little blues added to the population. A few days ago, another pair appeared and checked out the house for several days but I thought perhaps they were just keeping an eye on it as often happens even during the winter. But this week they've been showing up more often and staying longer, and today the female is obviously ready to lay eggs because she's in and out of the house every few minutes carrying nesting material.
I actually hoped they wouldn't do this again, given the extreme heat we're having this summer, but I guess they know what they're doing!

Another Fledging Completed!

Well, our shy little bird finally got up his courage this morning. I did see him peeking out the doorway and watched for quite awhile hoping to see him fly. But the clever little guy apparently waited until I took a brief break to make coffee or something because when I went out about noon after seeing no activity around the house for several hours the nest was empty. I was sad that they were all gone, and happy that they all fledged safely. I don't know if we'll have more nesting in that house this summer. I rather hope not, since I worried so about the poor little things out there in the blazing sun during our excessive heat. We still have the rest of July and all of August and September to go before we can expect a real break.
But we had eight little additions to the bluebird population from that house this summer and that makes me feel so good! I just hope they all survive to have families of their own.

Latest from the Bird Front

Today was fledging day for the bluebirds. Of the three hatchlings in the house, I saw one make his "maiden" flight this afternoon with neither parent in sight. He suddenly appeared at the door, popped himself out and flew into a neighboring tree. I could see him sitting there trying to keep his balance on the swaying branch. The unaccustomed movement kept him fluttering for several minutes. But his Papa soon found him and gave him a snack and he was able to settle down.
There is still at least one hatchling left in the nest. I think one must have fledged before I noticed, and this one simply could not make up his mind to go in spite of his parents' coaxing. He sat in the doorway for a very long time, but just couldn't get up the courage to leave. At one point during his decision making, it began to rain, and I'm sure that confused and intimidated him along with everything else. At dusk he was still inside. I don't know if he finally left or has decided to stay inside one more night!
I will open the house sometime tomorrow morning if I see no activity at the nest box. I'm sure he'll be okay, but I'm always concerned until I know they've all fledged successfully.