Carol DM
The pair of Bluebirds have finally claimed the backyard house. They have started building their nest of pine straw. They are chasing away the sparrows. Sparrows are their worst enemy. They will actually kill the bluebirds then make a nest on top of them. I help them out with my little bb gun. I never hit them just get them out of the way of the bluebirds. Such excitement in my backyard when the bluebirds arrive. In the photo, at the bottom of the pole, you can see a little of Dustin’s rosebush. It will be blooming before too long. And yes, the perch directly behind the house is made from an old fishing pole. It is attached to the pole. They enjoy sitting on it. They are spoiled bluebirds!
©CarolDM2018
Their diet mostly consists of insects and berries. They feed on a wide variety of insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and many others, also spiders, earthworms and snails. And they love mealworms. I have bought them before and put a feeder close to the house. The problem is that attracts other birds, sparrows and mockingbirds mostly. So that plan did not work, and I realized there are enough insects for them to eat. I will be taking lots of phots as they progress with the nest, then the eggs, then the babies. My Bluebirds of Happiness!
I am continuing with the 365 Photos Challenge and I am now on Day 109.
I think I’m inspired. I haven’t yet done a poem or short story involving birds. I think its high time I try. It will have to be some sort of romantic scenario. Thanks to you sharing your talent, I hope mine will have wings to fly…
Bluebirds are so special to my heart because of my son Bradley. I have written many things in my journal but haven’t gotten any further. It would be great to see what you come up with!
Bluebirds of happiness. Great shot Carol.
Thank you very much Kim! I love these birds.
Thank you so very much for your comments.
those are 1 of my fav birds to watch when I’m outside
my other one is finches & cardinals, those 3 birds are the
best ones I enjoy watching their very colorful & smart.
That is great to hear. Cardinals are also a favorite of mine. I have posted about those as well.
really? well I’ll have to go find that one cause I haven’t seen it yet.
I like the colored birds cause IF you could have all them in 1 place
just vision how awesome that would look like to watch for HRS. :<}
Sorry for the delay in responding, here is one of my Cardinal posts…
https://virily.com/challenges/stare-down-day-106/
And here is another about Bluebirds…
https://virily.com/challenges/observing-photo-challenge-day-92/
no problem I got to the links you sent me on the other post
I really congratulate you on all your photos.
And more about bluebirds…
https://virily.com/challenges/bluebird-photo-challenge-day-90/
https://virily.com/challenges/splash-just-for-fun-week-3/
That is so sweet. Beautiful little birds.
Yes I love watching them raise their little families in my backyard.
I love birds, I am always watching as Hawks Circle slowly overhead.
I also like to watch the red tailed hawks. Their winds are amazing.
Typo alert….. “wings” not winds!
Your Bluebirds of Happiness! Looking forward to more photos of the nesting, the eggs and the babies 🙂
Yes Norman they are. I am patiently waiting. They are chasing the sparrows away now.
What a very nice luck for you
Yes indeed Albert, I was inside but still able to catch a quick photo.
Just another miracles, right?
Absolutely Albert, that is what I believe!
Great photos of the bluebirds! I did not know that about sparrows though….that’s so sad that they do that!
Thank you Courtney, I had no idea either until I started blue birding, it is a constant battle. Just think if they were in the wild without my help! They would not survive.
Sparrows were always my favorite bird….now that I know that fact, I am changing my thinking!
Same here, I never knew until I started with the bluebirds.
The bluebirds look nice in these images.
They are beautiful birds, thank you.
You are welcome Carol DM.
Aren’t sparrows smaller than bluebirds? Do they use a mob attack or something?
Yes they are smaller but they are vicious Alex. They will hide in the box and attack the bluebirds. I have seen both the male and female attack a sparrow if it tries to come in when the babies are born. But they always return. The house is enclosed and the bb’s don’t see them until the sparrow is in the box, leaving them no exit. But no mob, only one or two at a time. It sounds crazy but it is a fight every year to keep them away. Bluebirders, like myself call them rat birds and they are legal to kill. There are actual traps you can buy to trap them. I don’t want to kill them, just stay away from the bluebirds.
Vicious little sods, aren’t they?
Yes they are and I have used other words in the past as well!
I didn’t know you felt so strongly about birds…
It’s the bluebirds because of a glass bluebird Dustin gave me while I was in the hospital years ago, he told me it would always make me happy. And now since my Dad’s passing, he always talked about Cardinals, he told me he wanted to trade my bluebirds for his “redbirds” as he called them. That is what I miss, our talks. So there is a connection there.
Gorgeous capture! Bluebirds are adorable. I didn’t know much about them, so your post is very interesting for me.
Thanks Ellie, it was taken from inside. Glad you enjoyed, I will be writing more. 🙂
I’m so glad they came back to you again. I’m sure you’ll take care of them a lot.
Me too, I am so excited. I am hoping for a successful year for them.
I’ve only seen one of these guys.
Have you ever tried putting up a bluebird house?
No. I live in a condo and the other owners are wary of anything like that. They are afraid they will attract rats and there are enough of them around already.
I think we talked about this before. Sorry I forgot.