We’re Expecting!
The weather kept me from visiting the loons for several days. I was out to see the Middletons last Thursday, May 18. I didn’t get back until last evening. And I had a chance to visit the Westons this morning. Let’s see how they’re doing.
I’ll be at the Paradise City Art Show in Northampton, MA this coming weekend. Stop by and say hello. I’ll have lots of prints, from small to large, and note cards with lots of critters. All the show details here.
Last Thursday was another chilly morning, with a little bit of fog on the water.









I returned yesterday evening, much to the delight of the black flies.





This morning I headed off to check in on the Westons. It became a beautiful morning after a chilly 38° start, with lots of nice fog on the water. The last few years, the Westons have been about a week behind the Middletons in mating and nesting. They must have a new calendar this year.











This handsome fellow was out celebrating World Turtle Day today. As good a reason to go wild as any!
It will be next week before I get a chance to get back to check on them. I’ll let you know what I find. Enjoy the holiday weekend and please remember the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives to protect us
We Say ‘Good Bye’ to The Bluebirds
All four chicks fledged within a few minutes of each other this morning. Unfortunately, the network dropped not long before they did and we didn’t get any video. This video is within the hour of them fledging. I’ve got a new camera and router to install if I can get to it before they try a second brood.
I was able to get out to visit the Middletons this evening. There was a loon sitting on last year’s nesting site. An update post shortly.
Sunday with the Bluebirds
Our chicks are showing interest in the world outside the box, they’re taking turns peering out of the opening. They’re also testing their wings regularly. Won’t be long now….
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Saturday with the Bluebirds
Today was the first day we could have expected them to fledge. All four are still with us after dinner this evening. But, it won’t be long now. Our yard has several bobolinks fluttering and calling.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Friday with the Bluebirds
We’re coming to the first day when the chicks may fledge. They’re big, their feathers are growing in. They’re testing their wings. Previous clutches have shown more interest in looking out the box opening a couple days before they fledged, so I bet we’ll have these guys a few more days.
It was very windy here on the hill this afternoon, that’s the roaring background sound.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Thursday with the Bluebirds
We’re enjoying a beautiful spring afternoon here on the hill. Mom and dad bluebird are off on errands, they’re returning to the nest with food now and then. They’re much less active in the afternoon than the evening. Are the parents off foraging for themselves? Are the insects that much less active during the day? Our chicks are glad to be fed whenever the meal arrives.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Wednesday with the Bluebirds
Not only are the chicks getting big, they’re getting loud. They’re on the front of the house, my office is in the back. I can hear them calling when they think there’s a chance for snacks.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.


More Time with the Loons
Last weekend, I was able to spend both mornings on the Middleton’s Pond. They’ve got a new neighbor, it looks like they may be having second thoughts about the nest location and they, once again, told an intruder to go away.
I’ll be down at the Paradise City Show in Northampton, MA, over Memorial Day Weekend. I’ll have lots of wildlife prints, including lots of loons, as well as note cards. Stop by to say hello. All the show details here.
Saturday morning found a great egret foraging not far from where the loons nested last year and may again this year. The loons were off in another cove on the pond.

















I’m anxiously watching the weather, itching to get back to see if they’ve decided on a nesting site.
Tuesday with the Bluebirds
They’re still growing fast! And, their feathers are coming in. They’re moving towards the box entrance now when a parent is bringing food. And, it looks like one is getting curious about what is going on outside. They’ll be with us at least a few more days. The earliest we can expect them to fledge is Friday, but it is likely they’ll be with us until Sunday or Monday.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Monday with the Bluebirds
They’re ever bigger. And, today they’re testing their wings.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.