They are now gamely having another go at raising a brood in a box close to the predated one. The female quickly filled their new house with nesting material and has now produced her first egg there. I have to admire their determination and hope it will be second time (or perhaps even third time) lucky for them. To help thwart nest raiders, the North American Bluebird Society recommends mounting nesting boxes on zinc-plated electrical conduit pipe. Then, greasing the pole with a non-drying automotive grease or carnuba wax. Also, the boxes shouldn't be within jumpable distance from trees. Next year, I'll have the upgrades in place!
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| Sadly, something has taken all the eggs from her previous nest box. |
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| Moving on, she tries her luck with a box more in the open. |
Cat roomy, Ellie Mae, is in day three of a 'lock down'. It's got nothing to do with COVID-19 and everything to do with the young barn swallows who are starting to fledge from their mud nest in our garage. The first day of her imprisonment, Ellie thought that perhaps I couldn't hear her meows so she raised the volume and number of demands to be let outside. A noisy house, I can tell you! The second day, she relaxed more and this morning only gave a token request and soon gave up. In a few days when the young birds have safely flown away, she'll be allowed to resume her outdoor adventures. We all have to make adjustments to our lives at one time or another -- even pampered cats.
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| The sixth Barn Swallow baby is out of sight in the back row. |
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| Perched on a deck stool, this youngster was the first to leave the nest. |
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| Staring at the door knob and meowing no longer summons the door lady. |
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| Ellie Mae knows there is a young barn swallow on the deck's foot stool. |
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| A Gray Catbird youngster awaits food deliveries from the rim of my old bird bath. |
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| Bunnies, bunnies! Everywhere are bunnies! They do love their dandelion leaves. |
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| Despite our prolonged drought, wildflowers reliably continue to bloom. |
