The tree swallow chicks are growing rapidly. Their first feathers are coming in, making them look more like baby birds. All five are active and competing for food. Mom and dad are busy swooping about the yard grabbing meals.

The cameras are mounted inside the box letting us watch without disturbing the birds. The cameras have their quirks. They record in color when there’s enough light and switch to black and white and turn on infrared emitters in low light. They’re slow to adapt to the change in light as the swallows come and go. But, hey, they were cheap.