THE SWALLOW'S MUGSHOTS!
Some years ago, a retired railroader who liked to tinker, made me a very handsome bird-house. I placed it on a porch and waited for the birds to arrive. They mostly did not.
It seems the entrance hole was just too tight for Robins and other larger birds. So the result was, it was mostly used by Swallows. They are small and easily fit in through the opening. Swallows are also very nervous birds that take off the minute any human comes near!
I had to do some porch repairs one day. Instead of just going about their business, they flittered around nervously and only attended to the business of raising their young when I was NOT around! Instead of being subtle, they simply drew attention to themselves!
As the young were ready to fly, something went drastically WRONG! A neighbor came by and noticed a fledgling ON THE GROUND under the porch! At first I thought it was a Robin, because we have so many of them around. The little bird tried to hide. When I captured it in my hand, I realized it was a young Swallow that tried to fly and failed. Trying to spread its wings, it must have fallen out of the birdhouse!
It had indeed!
I encouraged it through the hole and IN it went. Mommy and Daddy went on as usual. I then set up my cameras and began the process of capturing the birds at the entrance, waiting to be fed by the parents.
The results speak for themselves, as the character and behavior of these creatures becomes obvious! Enjoy our look at the private moments of this years crop of Swallows as they "ham it up" for us!
We are very good looking, you know!
Do we REALLY have to POSE for a Formal Portrait?!
On my Next Flight, I will try to Make it!
Thank You for Looking and Reading!
Photographs and Commmentary
by Harald Hesstvedt Scharnhorst.
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