Yesterday I was treated to a mother and father bluebird bringing their young fledglings to my birdbath to test out the waters! The first couple of photos are the disheveled parents...their feathers are all ruffled and they are probably exhausted from taking care of these babies!
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| Mother and father bluebird, mom watching while dad takes a bath |
The juveniles don't have the same thickness of feathers and are not as brightly colored as the adults. There is one fledgling that sat on the deck and wouldn't go near the water for the longest time...but
then he finally flew over to check it out. But he didn't end up going in, ever! His sibling and he were cute as they appeared to see me taking their photos! I thought it was funny that the one was being totally stubborn and just would have nothing to do with that water!
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| Juvenile (left) looks on while dad demonstrates taking a bath |
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| Mom joins dad while juvenile watches. |
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| The 2nd fledgling isn't too sure he wants to join the others |
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| Dad is really enjoying his bath, and the youngster (far left) looks like he want to join in |
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| Mom appears to be chewing dad out, not sure what he did but she doesn't look happy with him!! |
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| Meanwhile, this youngster isn't having any part of it! |
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| The baby (splashing, behind mom) has joined in and dad has gotten out |
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| Hmm, still not wanting any part of this! |
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| "What are you looking at?" |
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| Mom and dad have flown away, while the 2 youngsters remain |
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| Finally, the 2nd juvenile flies to the birdbath to join his sibling |
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| Two bluebird babies at the birdbath |
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| It's almost as if they saw me taking their photo! (I was inside the house looking through the kitchen window). |
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| The one baby would not go in the water... |
What gifts have you discovered today?
Until next time,
Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.
I don't think I have every said this before, but those baby birds are cute.
ReplyDeleteAwe, thanks Les :)
DeleteI just love these photos! Birds are so much fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are fun, Alison. Thanks!
DeleteWhat a wonderful experience to be able to watch them and take these photos. Such fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jayne...it was a blast :)
DeleteI've never seen bluebird babies. These pictures are fantastic! Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ragtimelil. Glad you now know what the babies look like ;)
DeleteOh Jan these are adorable especially the 2 babes looking at you!!!! Priceless joys.....
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna :) It was only the 2nd time I've seen babies visit. The last time, the parents brought them to the feeders... ;)
DeleteYour pictures of bluebird family bath time are extraordinary. Thanks for sharing them. It's almost as great as actually watching them. Well yes I admit it. I'm just s bit jealous. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Becky! Maybe you'll see them someday too...you just never know. Always something to surprise us in our gardens ;)
DeleteWhat a priceless gift! I adore bluebirds but haven't been able to attract them to my garden for some reason. Not enough open space, maybe? We have them at our family lake house and I could sit for hours and watch them.
ReplyDeleteThey don't nest in my yard either, Ginny, but for some reason, they eat from my feeders during the winter. This is the 2nd time I've seen babies in my yard; a couple of yrs ago, parents brought babies to eat from the feeders.
DeleteThat was sooo cool! Great photo's. I loved your post. Not as interesting post as yours, but check out my hummingbirds sitting on my finger while eating.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy...that is so cool that hummingbirds actually sat on your finger...that is amazing!
DeleteThey sure grew up fast!
ReplyDeleteRay
I only wish I could have seen them when they were in the nest, Swimray! They don't nest in my yard...and boxes I had, they never used. But the whole process does go by quickly...
DeleteOh my gosh! Those are incredible photos--especially through a window! Your photos must be extremely clean. How did you avoid glare and distortion? Not to mention capturing so many great shots and a series that tells an exquisite story!
ReplyDeleteI meant to say "Your WINDOWS must be extremely clean." :^)
DeleteBeth, my windows have water droplets all over them...they are right above the kitchen sink where splashes happen frequently! I think the lighting was just right and the sun was out of the way when I took the photos. There are lots of trees/shade in my yard so usually the photos I take through the windows turn out fine :)
DeleteOh how charming! I've never even seen a live bluebird, let alone had one at my birdbath!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you will get lucky one of these days, Robin...you just never know when a surprise will occur in the garden :)
DeleteWonderful photos of the Bird Bath lesson! I rarely see our bluebirds at the birdbath as they prefer the bath on the side of the house out of window view. I was lucky to once see the entire family splashing around. I recall it being Mom, Dad and 6 baby's. They made that bath look like so much fun with their splashing about as if Children in a swimming pool during summer....
ReplyDeleteThat sounded like a lot of fun to see, Skeeter...6 babies! Wow. I'm glad you've had the chance to observe parents and babies. One of life's little miracles...
DeleteADORABLE!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Kathryn :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful bluebirds!
ReplyDeleteGreat colors...too!
We don't have these kind of birds here in Holland...maybe you tell them to fly over.
I love the young baby's.... beautiful shots.
Thanks iwings...I've told the bluebirds to fly your way ;)
DeleteThese are delightful photos, Jan! With some kind of moral at the end, this could be a children's book. -Jean
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jean. I don't think I'm motivated enough to write a book...but that is a fun idea :)
DeleteThanks for sharing these wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jennifer ;) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThese pix are so cute! They do seem to be showing very human-like behavior. Funny! I missed all the bluebird action because I was at work. :(
ReplyDeletehaha, thanks Tammi. I took these photos on a Saturday and wrote the post on a Sunday. Were you working on Sat? LOL. Bluebirds are all over my garden all winter long, eating from feeders and drinking from the stream and/or birdbath, then, in spring they bring their young to eat and drink...and bathe. It might be that they just don't hang out much right around your area. They don't nest in my yard, but just down the street in a woodsier area. So it might not be because you weren't home during the week...because if they're in your area, you would see them when you are home on weekends, as well ;))
DeleteYou really capture the most amazing bird images. Each of these could be a postcard!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy! I guess I was just lucky enough to be standing in the right place at the right time:)
DeleteWhat a fun post! Those sure are pretty creatures! Yes, they sure gave you some looks!
ReplyDelete