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So it was a busy day of bird activity here at Edge of the Woods (what we call our home). First, I got to see my first hummingbird of the season. Very cool, and something I look forward to each Spring. Next, I saw a Yellow Rumped Warbler. Then the Baltimore Orioles showed up in force. I was outside working in the yard, and then I heard a familiar call from the bluebirds. It sounded like they were beginning their calls to the nestlings that it was TIME to learn to FLY!!!

So I grabbed my bridge camera. I’m not a good photographer, but I try to capture my surroundings sometimes. I think I’ve witnessed bluebirds fledge maybe a dozen times in the six or seven years that I’ve been paying attention.

Well, out came fledging number one. He flew right over my head, and yes, I ducked! I didn’t want there to be an accident right out of the nest box! He flew over to the trees behind me, and then moved over to the lattice that’s under our deck. He stayed here for several minutes, but Mom and Dad were very worried.

Dad kept a close eye on things from a few feet away.

Now it was time for the second nestling to take a try.

If brother can do it, so can I!!!

Two more nestlings remained. It was time for FF to call it quits for the evening in her bird watching endeavor. Mr. FF had finished his day at the home office, and it was time to transition to the evening. A scrumptious dinner lay ahead of us.

I hope you all have gotten a glimpse of what a cool thing nature provides. We don’t always get to witness events first hand, but I hope these photos are good enough to give you a glimpse into that world which we inhabit with so many others.

Good pictures!

The favorite nest box of all at our place was on the edge of a field across from the barn. The bluebirds liked to sit on the edge of the barn roof & when I mowed the field, they would be flying after insects disturbed by the mower.

When their babies fledged, they would all sit on the top board of a nearby fence. Most times, I did not look in the box to count eggs or babies so the first time I could count how many was when they got to the fence sitting stage. The youngsters would hang around together for quite a while so we had small bluebird ‘flocks’ as the other nests were emptied as well - we have 7 bluebird houses. I am really happy to see bluebirds at our new place.