Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Barn Swallow Juveniles in Action

When its summer time and you're freezing inside a building, the best thing I know to do is step outside for a while.

And so I did. And while doing so I discovered these adorable swallow juveniles resting on a ledge. In the air overhead were dozens more juveniles and adults flying and calling. What a delight to listen and watch their acrobatic aerial displays over the man-made pond and fountain. Not only were the swallows catching insects attracted to the water, but they also flew along the surface to drink. Amazing to watch. And the thought of these juveniles learning and practicing feeding and drinking in flight was pure delight. I watched them take flight more than once, returning a few minutes later to rest and preen. (Or maybe it was their young cousins' turn to rest.)
Swallows were among the earliest birds to capture my interest as a child. Having grown up around barns and having a barn of my own in later years, I've always considered them endearing companions and neighbors.

A nesting pair of barn swallows frequently perched on my barn gate in the early mornings and chattered while I fed horses. Even while feeding their young, they went about their business accepting my presence as readily as I accepted theirs.
Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #45 at Birdfreak.com to promote the conservation of our world's birds.

11 comments:

  1. I had baby barn swallows this week, too! I didn't attempt to draw them, knowing my limitations, but I really like the one you did.

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  2. Vickie..Beautiful photos and Art!
    So nice you were able to study the fledglings so closly.

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  3. Great pictures of the Barn Swallows, Vickie... I've never seen them--although they may be up here somewhere.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. Cute baby swallow and your painting is beautiful.
    We only have Pacific Swallow now, the Barn species already move up north.

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  5. Hi Nyakian. Thank you.
    I only recently realized how wide spread barn swallows are. They sometimes raise another brood in Tennessee and then leave sometime after August.

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  6. Vickie-I've never seen a Barn Swallow sit still like that! They are so colorful, and I just love to watch them swooping through the air. Ah, summer - so many babies growing up and stepping out.

    BTW, I know what you mean about a freezing cold building - doesn't make much sense, does it? Middle of the summer and you need a sweater!

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  7. Cute painting and wonderful photos. I saw many barn swallows on my trip east!

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  8. What a bunch of cuties! Love your painting, too.

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  9. I enjoy the swallows as well. Barn and Cliff Swallows nest on the visitor center. Many people consider them pests, because they poop all over the place. But I think they are wonderful.I love your painting.

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  10. oh gosh...they are so sweet. I love barn swallows and your artwork is gorgeous--you've captured their playfulness in the expression.

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  11. Lovely painting and pics, Vickie.
    We should get them coming to winter here by September/October.

    We get them roosting on power lines in certain towns in their thousands.

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