Bluebird Pic!Spam
I've taken a few shots of the bluebird chicks over the course of the past week. There are 5 of them, and they are all healthy, and growing rapidly!
Taken July 7, 2008. When I first opened the birdhouse, they threw open their mouths and cheeped like crazy. Before I could take a pic, they realized I wasn't Mom or Dad and instantly pretended to be asleep. :)
Taken July 10, 2008. Their feathers are starting to fill in. Still pretend to be asleep. Hee.
Taken July 13, 2008. Even more feathers, and definite shades of blue now. They're now brave enough to peek at me, but still remain motionless.
Taken July 15, 2008 (Today). Brillant blue showing up on the feathers, and little fuzzy baby feathers gradually smoothing out. Still peeking, but not moving. So darn cute!
I figure they'll be ready to fledge by the end of the week or the beginning of next week. Hopefully, I'll be around to see them take their first flights.
We did have a bit of a scare today though. Hubby and I were checking on the chicks, and heard lots of chirping in the trees. That's when I noticed a black rat snake on the ground only 10 ft. away from the birdhouse. O_O The birds were sounding the alarm! I kept an eye on it while Hubby grabbed a garden hoe. A few well aimed whacks took care of the intruder. We faithfully treat our yard with snake repellant every Spring & Summer, to help keep the baby dogs safe, but this one was determined to get to that birdhouse. I'm so glad we saw it before it had a chance to test the protective baffle.
Hubby = 1
Snake = 0
Me = \o/
Taken July 7, 2008. When I first opened the birdhouse, they threw open their mouths and cheeped like crazy. Before I could take a pic, they realized I wasn't Mom or Dad and instantly pretended to be asleep. :)
Taken July 10, 2008. Their feathers are starting to fill in. Still pretend to be asleep. Hee.
Taken July 13, 2008. Even more feathers, and definite shades of blue now. They're now brave enough to peek at me, but still remain motionless.
Taken July 15, 2008 (Today). Brillant blue showing up on the feathers, and little fuzzy baby feathers gradually smoothing out. Still peeking, but not moving. So darn cute!
I figure they'll be ready to fledge by the end of the week or the beginning of next week. Hopefully, I'll be around to see them take their first flights.
We did have a bit of a scare today though. Hubby and I were checking on the chicks, and heard lots of chirping in the trees. That's when I noticed a black rat snake on the ground only 10 ft. away from the birdhouse. O_O The birds were sounding the alarm! I kept an eye on it while Hubby grabbed a garden hoe. A few well aimed whacks took care of the intruder. We faithfully treat our yard with snake repellant every Spring & Summer, to help keep the baby dogs safe, but this one was determined to get to that birdhouse. I'm so glad we saw it before it had a chance to test the protective baffle.
Hubby = 1
Snake = 0
Me = \o/