After a two year absence, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds have returned to the nest box in our grassy backyard. In 2021, this male posed on a dead stick above the nest box before dropping down to deliver food to the chicks.
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I had been seeing small flocks of them on my neighborhood walks. There were at least three juveniles along with an adult. In the last week, there was increased activity, especially near the box and a male entering with food. So, I set up my pop-up blind on the evening before hoping for some warm morning sunlight to bring out their colors.
Shortly after 8:30 am, the male arrived with a juicy green caterpillar. Amazing color.
Bluebirds are very fast, so a prime objective was to capture a bird in flight. (There is a pretty high strike-out rate. Couldn't afford to do this in my film days.) Shutter was at 1/2000 second, and I was wishing for even faster. Whew!
There was another behavior displayed. Recalling that weeks before, a juvenile Bluebird was seen following an adult, there was the possibility that some of these first brood juveniles would join in bringing food to the chicks. Here is one of the first brood arriving with food.
On other instances, the juvenile exhibited real curiosity such as when this youngster peeped into the side opening to observe.
There were also some squabbles contesting access into the box.
Mixed in with these comings and goings, there were also pauses and diversions of attention such as when this adult Robin arrived on the perch attached above the nest box.
The vivid orange breast was too rich to ignore and the pose so notable. I welcomed the intrusion since the bluebird harvest of bugs had slackened.
I am thinking that in about 7 to 10 days, the new brood will be crowding the entrance opening just before they fledge. Wishing for a nice warm morning light to once again photograph.
Thanks for letting me share this experience.
Paul Schmitt
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