Camera Critters - Tree Swallow

I headed into Hartville yesterday to purchase seed at my favorite nature shop. You see, a rose-breasted grosbeak landed on one of our feeders Thursday evening and I wanted to be sure I had the right seed in case he or any other members of his flock decided to come back. As I was leaving the parking lot, a male and female tree swallow flew down and perched on a sign next to the street.

tree swallow photo by Adrienne Zwart in OHio


The pair have claimed a bluebird house near the store. That is pretty typical behavior: tree swallows will often harass a male bluebird till it gives up the nesting box. (Male bluebirds scope out a proper nesting site, then they sing their hearts out to attract a female.) We had this happen at our last home after my husband and daughter installed a bluebird house as a Mother's Day gift. Once the bluebird gave up, I promptly went to the bird store and bought another one. The bluebird returned, and so I had two pairs of happy birds, both with successful nests.

We've installed a bluebird house here this spring, but no takers thus far. Though the property behind us has a large open space, I'm afraid there are still too many trees in our yard for a bluebird's liking. Who knows, maybe something else will find the nest box a cozy place to call home.

You can view all sorts of animal photos over at Camera Critters.

Comments

Snap said…
Beautiful shot. Loved your story, too!
Indrani said…
Wow! Good management skills I say. :)
So now we get to see more pictures of them, right?
Unknown said…
That's a great shot !

here's hoping that there will be some takers and you can get to take plenty of wonderful photos. :-)
Sharon said…
Very beautiful bird!
Ladynred said…
What a beautiful bird. Great shot!
VALKYRIEN said…
Beautiful bird that one! Hope you get a shot of the bluebird also!
Nice photo, we noticed that our bluebird's boxes are being harassed also....must be the norm? Lu
What a pretty little bird!
b13 said…
Interesting behavior. Cute birdie... for a squatter ;)
Dianne said…
he's beautiful!
That's absolutely beautiful Adrienne! I tell you what - your photography of critters impresses me more and more. I went on a Nature Photography Drive with my friends on Monday and found out just how difficult it is to photograph a bird. Yikes!
Cathy said…
What a beautiful bird!!
Susan Cook said…
Great shot. I didn't know that swallows would do that. That's interesting. TFS
Kerri Farley said…
I saw this today....a tree swallow in a bluebird house....and just a little bit further was a bluebird house....with bluebirds in it.

Great post!!
Kelly said…
...beautiful photo of the Tree Swallow. I hope something moves into your nest box soon!
i beati said…
they are so so sweet the grosbeak - not here in this part of country
Shelley said…
Such a cute photo! We had to get more bird boxes too - to break up the competition between our chickadees and the swallows.
Marci's World said…
Oh, Adrienne! Your bird shots throughout your blog are so lovely! How do you do it!! I tired to capture a Stellar's Jay when we were on a trip - couldn't do it! Simply lovely.
Adrienne Zwart said…
Thank you for your kind comments. Encouragement is such a help for a beginning photographer.

Angie(TAC) and Marci, I take dozens of shots when I see something and still have to discard them all sometimes. And having my camera ready and with me always has certainly helped. (I used to carry a camera in a case, and by the time I'd get it out, the bird would be gone.) I've been watching birds since I was a little girl, so being familiar with them probably helps. Angie, I use your "hold-your-breath" technique a lot!
Willard said…
I think I have seen far more Tree Swallows using bluebird boxes than I have bluebirds. They are beautiful birds too and you captured this one well. I also enjoyed the Goose photograph for Camera Critters/
Oh my goodness - that photo is absolutely gorgeous!

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