Posts Tagged: bluebird
Bluebird Update April 13, 2022
Mrs. Bluebird is still at work on her nest. Today makes a full week she’s been at it. She should finish up in the next couple days, then it will probably take a couple days before she starts laying eggs.
I’m still looking for critters to photograph. Do you have a fox or coyote den? A bear showing up regularly? A Woodpecker or owl nest? I’d love to know.
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We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed to allow us to follow along without disturbing the bird.
Bluebird Update April 12, 2022
We’re having a rainy morning here in Vermont. Looks like momma bluebird took a rain delay before getting to work. Since she got started, she’s been coming into the box every few minutes. She’s adjusting the grass in the nest and pressing her belly down to form the cup for her eggs.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds build their nest in a camera-equipped nesting box. We can watch without disturbing the birds.
Bluebird Update April 11, 2022
Momma bluebird has been hard at work again this morning. She’s been hauling in more grass and getting things squared away.
There’s a spider in the box, you can see a piece of grass caught in her web on the left side of the video. The question is, how did the spider get in the box? Just chance? A couple years ago, we had wrens in this box. Mrs. Wren brought a spider into the box but didn’t eat it. A quick web search suggests this is common behavior for wrens, apparently the spiders prey on mites, fleas and ticks that annoy the birds. Let’s see if Mrs. Bluebird cohabitates with this spider, or if it becomes a snack.
Have critters showing up regularly? I’m always looking for critters to photograph. I’m always on the lookout for mammals bigger than a squirrel, especially with a family. For birds, I’m looking for owl and woodpecker nests this year. It usually takes me several trips and many hours sitting and waiting to get the photos I want. If you’ve got critters someplace I can come and go without bothering them or you, I’d love to know.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box that I built with a camera mounted inside so we can watch without disturbing the birds.
Bluebird Update April 10, 2022
Our bluebirds continue to work on their nest this morning.
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There are some background noises that you may hear in the videos. There’s often the wind making a rushing or roaring sound. The thumps and scratches you may hear are one of the birds on the outside of the house.
I’ve built bird boxes with cameras installed in them to allow us to watch the birds without disturbing them.
More Work on the Bluebird Nest
Another busy morning for our bluebirds. Mrs. has been hauling in building material and is starting to form the ‘cup’ in the nest for the eggs. She’s pressing her underside down into the grass and fluttering her wings to get the right shape for the cup. Mr. Bluebird peeks his head in from time to time to make sure everything is going well.
I’ve installed cameras in several bird nesting boxes in the yard to allow us to watch the birds without disturbing them.
Mrs. Bluebird Works On Her Nest
Today is the third day that Mrs. Bluebird has been working on her nest in our camera equipped nesting box. She made several trips in with material this morning before taking a midmorning break.
I installed a camera inside the box to let us watch their progress without disturbing them. Today’s video is in black and white because the camera has a automatic exposure sensor that switches to B&W in low light. We’re having a gloomy morning here in Vermont and there isn’t much daylight.
Our Bluebirds Have Returned!
Our bluebirds are back and they’ve selected a bird box for their nest. They’ve started building this week. Check back regularly for updates as we follow their progress.
I put a small video camera in the box to let us watch without disturbing the bluebirds. I’ll post updates regularly while their building the nest and raising their family.
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Checking On Our Bird Boxes, April 14, 2021
Not much action in the bluebird box today. Mrs. has shown up only four times. The first time, she settled then fussed several times, we were convinced she was laying her first egg. No such luck šĀ Both bluebirds are around the yard, ready to protect the box should it need defending. Mrs. should lay her first egg within the next couple days.Ā
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.Ā
Four Quick Bird Photo Tips
Hereās a pretty photo of a male Eastern bluebird with four quick photography lessons.
First, you donāt need fancy gear or to travel to exotic locations for good wildlife photos. This was taken while I was sitting on my deck. A pair of bluebirds were raising chicks along the edge of my lawn. They would hunt insects over and on the lawn. I stuck a stick in the ground to give them a perch. They promptly took advantage of the perch and I got my photo.
The next lesson is to try and get the wildlife doing something. Seeing this guy with food in his mouth tells a story. You know he has a nest with chicks nearby and heās hunting to feed them. That gives us a more interesting image that just the bird alone.
The third lesson from this image is to keep it simple. Here weāve got a bird on a stick. Thereās a nice, clean background and nothing in the foreground to distract your attention from the bird. Try to frame your photos to avoid anything that you donāt want viewers to look at instead of the subject.
The fourth lesion is simply to be ready to enjoy encounters with wildlife anywhere at any time. Vermont has lots of fascinating wildlife, pay attention and youāll find photo opportunities all over the place.