And Then Something Different!

While watching a large number of tree swallows with their little fledglings in the willow trees. And then one little guy that came and landed on a pole right above me,looking for food from a passing adult. All of a sudden I noticed a splash of a different color. Sitting all alone on a branch. This little one looked pretty newly fledged. It sat,it preened and looked around,watching as all the other swallows flew from on branch to another,back and forth. Mouth opened wide a few times as the tree swallows flew near it. It was an adorable little babe. But as I sat and watched for a couple hours,it sat all alone. I never saw any more barn swallows. And I have no idea were it came from. But it was there and it was beautiful. One tree swallow almost looked as if it fed the little barn swallow but it was so fast I can not be positive. It finally flew and I lost rack of it. So many tree swallows flitting about. As I serched the skies above I also noticed an immature purple martin flying with the tree swallows. So it looks like we have a few visitors enjoying our families of tree swallows here. Will be intersting to see if I can find were the other 2 species are nesting. But it made for some exciting bird watching to start my day.

Fledged Tree Swallows June 26th

2 days ago these babes were still in the nest. I missed going over yesterday, and when I went this morning. They were gone.But the willow trees were full of swallows. Looked a little awkward for this little one being fed in the trees. I watched for a couple hours. And it was a wonderful sight. Parents were flying all around me getting food for their little ones in the trees.

How life changes

The next 3 postings are of a diffrent nature for me. The last 3 months have been tough. We get tested in many ways during a lifetime. 9 years ago my pair of lovebirds hatched 4 babies. 2 green peach faced lovebirds and 2 lutino;s. (yellow). They were wonderful parents and did the best job ever of raising the little ones. The Mom & Dad passed away a few years ago a year apart. Still had 3 of the 4 babes. A couple weeks ago my Misty passed away in my hands. She was 9 and it was sudden. I lost my mother in March,then Misty and then Sasha kitty. Life can be one big trial. I have done up some photos of my special friends and my mother. They were all such a beautiful part of my life. My mother was so very special and was my best friend. I miss them all a great deal. Life goes on!!

Loss of a companion

The loss of one of your best furry friends is always hard and never easy. My last 3 months have been the worst for loss. We had to face the loss of one of our cats who we have had since she was 7 weeks of age. She would have been 12 on August 3rd. She didn't make it. She was one of the best photogenic animals I have photographed. Beautiful little thing. We as well as our other 2 cats and dog miss her dearly.

Tribute to a Mom 1918 - 2012

I have not been on here for a while as some of you know. On March 18th I lost my mother at the age of 93. She was my best friend,mentor and the reason I am what I am. I grew up with wildlife surrounding me. It was just a part of my every day life as a child. The best thing you can do for your children. I have done the same with mine. My mother was in a nursing home for the last few years with her cat Toffee. Her face glowed when I took my new photos in for her to see. In fact it became so popular that I ended up going in and doing slideshows for the residents once a month. They loved it. It just brought their lives back to the day,good old memories. Making them smile made me smile even more. Life is good!!! My work became even more special. Some of these shots are of her younger years in England where she was born. She had a wonderful life. She is greatly missed.

Tree Swallow June.24

This swallow is taking a break from feeding the nestlings.As the female flies over he sure does some fancy moves.

Tree Swallows in House

The little ones are near coming out 0f the nest soon. They keep peeking out and are so cute.

The monarch cycle

From the tiniest egg,the catipiller and the beautiful butterfly. Missing here is the chrysallis which the caterpillar turns into before it becomes a butterfly. You can see this complete cycle on my Monarch butterfly website.

Canada Geese Family of 2012

You may remember last year I posted a family of Canada geese with their new family. Well they are back. On the roof again and doing it all over again. Only 2 weeks earlier than last year. This year the little ones hatched April 27th. The worst day for weather,it was so cold,it rained,it snowed,it blew it hailed. Anything mother nature could throw at us she did that day. Dad stayed close and Mom just hunkered in there. I had been expecting it either April,26th or 27th by my records. And looks like it started actually last night. I left at 8:pm and nothing.Something must of been going on because when I arrived at 8:30 this morning. She had 3 gosslings.I went in the house this time and watched as the event unfolded in front of my eyes. It was so beautiful.What love and affection. Tenderness and dedication. It was so cold. When I arrived her wings were out funny,she had wee ones under there keeping them warm. I hunkered in inside the house were I was warm and out of the weather. I was there from 8:30 am til 6:30 pm. The weather was so bad and she just kept hunkered down with little ones under her warm body. She didn't get up to much but quickly turned the hatching eggs that just kept coming.The little gosslings kept peeping out. I saw 4 eggs originally but there are more tucked deep. Could see the little crack were the young had started to work its way out.This time when I left she wa still hatching out the last egg,#6. She stayed on the roof with the young until the next day until around 1 pm. Was a sunny day and a bit warmer for sure. Oh what a time to have your little ones.

Canada Geese Family

Momma goose is enjoying her new family as they arrive one by one.What beautiful little babes.