Posts in Category: Wildlife

Photos, stories and ‘how I got the shot’ about birds and animals in the wild

Mr. Bluebird Is Getting Impatient, No Word From The Chickadees, May 6, 2021

Mr. Bluebird seems to be getting impatient. He usually shows up around the yard a few times a day. He’ll call to Mrs., she sometimes answers. Today, he stuck around the yard, often perching on the box or the roof just above the box. I saw him go to the door several times to see what was up. And, every time I was around to see Mrs. leave the box, Mr. would perch by the door. All this, and still no chicks. We’re about midway through the period we can expect them to hatch. They should hatch before Monday. 

Here’s Mrs. Bluebird tending her eggs this afternoon:

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Pretty Sure We Have A Pip, Bluebird Update May 4, 2021

Mrs. Bluebird has been sitting most of the day again. I’ve been watching closely this afternoon after spotting what sure looks like a pip in one of the eggs. There may be pips in two, but she turned them, and I’m not sure if she moved them around. Take a look at the egg at the 2 O’clock position when she leaves. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

We’re Still Waiting…. Bluebird Update May 3, 2021

I’ve been busy checking in on Mrs. Bluebird every few minutes all day. By midafternoon, I convinced myself we had a crack in one of the eggs. No such luck, we’re still waiting. Sunday was the first day the chicks could have hatched, they should hatch by May 10. Stay tuned. 


We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Still Waiting For Chicks, May 2, 2021

Our wait for bluebird chicks continues. Mrs. Bluebird spent most of her day sitting on her eggs. Today was the first day we could have expected the eggs to hatch. 


We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Mrs. Bluebird Spends Another Day on Her Eggs, May 1, 2021

Mrs. Bluebird spent the day sitting on her eggs. The first day the might hatch is tomorrow, Sunday May 2. There’s a big window, they could take until the 10th. Stay tuned. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

The Wait Continues… No News From Our Bluebirds, April 29, 2021

Mrs. Bluebird continues babysitting her eggs, venturing out occasionally. Mr. Bluebird sat in the rain on our deck roof above the box for a time this morning. Sunday is the first day we can expect the eggs to hatch. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

No News From Our Bluebirds or Chickadees, April 28, 2021

Mrs. Bluebird spent her day tending her eggs, with a few trips out for food. I wonder if she gets bored just sitting, or does she link long thoughts?


We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Checking In With Our Bluebirds and Chickadees, April 27, 2021

Not much news from our bluebirds today. Mrs. continues to sit on her eggs, popping out occasionally to find some food. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Update April 26, 2021

We had a little extra excitement from our feathered friends this morning. My wife, Lee, found a robin that couldn’t fly. The robin is now under VINS’ care.

Mrs. Bluebird spent most of her day in her box tending her eggs. Here’s a short clip, where she deals with a shed feather. The eggs should hatch between May 2 and May 10. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

The Clock Has Started For The Bluebirds, April 24, 2021

Mrs. Bluebird has definitely started incubating her four eggs. Thursday, she sat on them most of the morning before spending most of the afternoon out of the box. She stayed in the box Thursday night, sat on the eggs Friday and again spent the night. The book says it takes 11 to 19 days for the eggs to hatch. Let’s say she started Thursday, that means they should hatch sometime between May 2 and May 10. Here’s a good look at her sitting on her  eggs.  About 11:00, you can see her turn the eggs. All birds turn their eggs while incubating them. Theories as to why include, rotating the egg helps deliver albumen – the ‘white’ of the egg that is protein – to the chick – the ‘yolk’ and that turning the egg helps warm the egg evenly and and prevents the egg’s membrane from sticking to the shell. 


We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds.