Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Feathers

Raising a Carolina Wren Family

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Raising a Carolina Wren Family, like all bird families, is a full-time job.  This is a big family -- six nestlings packed in a grass hut with an interior about the size of a baseball.  It took me days to count heads, but finally I saw all six beaks.  You'll understand the difficulty when you see the video -- there's a LOT of jostling going on!

As for the Chia Pet picture ... I finally have a camera in a location where I can mess with the focus as the nestlings grow.  This setting also has lots of natural light.  The combination yields (at least for now) an amazing image.  I won't be able to mess with the camera when these guys reach 12 days of age for fear of causing them to fledge prematurely.

Carolina Wren Nestlings Looking Like Chia Pets

Wren Nestlings Looking Like Chia Pets

Enjoy the video.  JUST BE WARNED:  I highly advise you view this footage when you are not eating ... unless juicy insects, in high-def, appeal to you.

 

When Nature Gives Me What I Want

I love it when I get what I want!  Momma Bluebird built her nest in the Garden House.  As you will see in the picture, it captures natural light much better than the other houses -- yielding color pictures for part of the day.  I'm pretty excited by the prospect of  sharing with you images of Bluebird eggs and nestlings in blue -- IF I continue to get what I want.

Momma Blue Chooses Garden House
Momma Blue Chooses Garden House

All About Bluebirds June 2018

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It has been a busy week!  All twelve nestlings are doing well and Momma Phoebe is three-eggs into Brood #3.  What has captured the majority of my attention this week, however, is the Bluebirds.  As you've probably figured out by the title of this post, the rest of this (long) post will be All About Bluebirds.

Inside the North House

I snapped a couple pictures from inside the north house.  There's what I call the "Baby Einstein" photo -- a look created by how the fuzz grows on the side of Bluebird nestlings' heads.  And then, there's the picture on the evening of Brood #2's first fledge.  When one nestling finally makes the leap to the door, it is common for the other nestlings to scream their heads off.  I wonder if they are shouting encouragement ... or yelling for mom and dad to come quick?

Baby Bluebird Einstein Look

Baby Bluebird Einstein Look

Siblings Squacking at One in Door

Fledging Cheering Squad

June 7-8

The five nestlings in the north house took wing ...

Bluebird Fledgling 1 on June 7 at 7:18pm
Bluebird Fledgling 2 on June 7 at 7:49pm
Bluebird Fledgling 3 on June 7 at 7:54pm
Bluebird Fledgling 4 on June 8 at 10:55am
Bluebird Fledgling 5 on June 8 at 11:11am

The difference in lighting between the June 7 and June 8 fledges is partially due to time of day.  The other contributing factor is a smear on the camera lens.  I cleaned the lens early on June 8.

I couldn't figure out why that camera kept fogging up -- heading out to clean the lens fairly regularly.  And then it dawned on me ... Daddy Bluebird and I are in a competition.  I clean the lens.  He attacks the crisp image of a male Bluebird in his territory.  The bad news is ... Daddy Blue is much more diligent in his duties!

Smeared Camera Lens

Smeared Camera Lens

Camera Smearing Culprit

Camera Lens Smearer

Over on the East Side of Town

I could no longer stand to watch the Urban Bluebird nestlings pant in the heat ... so out I went to install a sun screen.  I vividly remember undertaking this adventure last year.  Both mom and dad Bluebird dove at me repeatedly -- trying to scare me away.  I might have flinched, but I did not run!

I have to say, I was rather disappointed the parents showed no interest in me this year.  Just goes to show -- I can spoil both children and birds into ruin.

Birdhouse Sun Shade

Urban Bluebirds House-Hunt for Brood #3

With Brood #2 presumably off in the woods being taught independence by their parents, mom and dad still find time to house-hunt.  I put up a new house this year (I call it the Garden House) in hopes the Bluebirds would find its late afternoon shade appealing.  It's harder than you might think to find a shady location with trees within 50' (ideal for fledging), but no trees overhead (ideal for snakes "dropping-in").

The Urban Pair has been in and out of the Garden house since I installed it, but they returned to last year's choice (north house) for Broods 1 and 2.  This week, they have both been persistent in their home inspection of the Garden location.  That said, Daddy Blue is still at war with the north camera, and Momma Blue stops by now and then.  As for me -- I'm rooting for the Garden which (probably) won't require the construction of a second sun screen.  And, yes, I know nature doesn't care what I want.

All About Bluebirds: Garden House

Garden House

All About Bluebirds: Urban Blues Check Out Garden House

Mom and Dad Blue Visit the Garden

Brood #1 Juveniles Still Here

Finally ... I promise! ... it is quite curious to see the Brood #1 juveniles still hanging around.  In all years past, only the third (and last) brood has remained with the parents.  This year, it appears to me Daddy Blue has not chased off two of Brood #1's juveniles even though he has five more, Brood #2 juveniles training for adulthood ... and ... is house-hunting for Brood #3.

I've read that, sometimes, the prior brood will hang around and help feed the latest brood.  It's a scene I found hard to imagine ... so ... I paid attention.  I can't tell you what happened once they left here, but sure enough -- both of the pictured juveniles flew off into the woods with a worm (after stuffing themselves, of course).

Juvenile Bluebirds at Worms June 2018

Brood 1 Juveniles Still Here

All About Bluebirds: Brood 1 Blue Takes Worm

Brood #1 Juvenile Leaves with Worm