Tuesday’s Backyard

Mr. Blue.

Betty keeps a close eye on the Bluebird house.

Mrs. Blue 

Vigilant.

Five!

Betty needs a closer look.

Mrs. Blue doesn’t budge, and with the shake of her beak sends Betty off to chase after the deer.

Our evening deer graze among the apple trees.

Good night.

Sunday Afternoon Blues

A female Bluebird with gathered nesting material waits for the all clear signal.

After looking both ways she heads for the nest…

…with the male Bluebird providing over-watch.

Graceful in flight, she nails the landing.

The male looks and listens for any sign of danger.

He is a formidable foe for just about anybody that chooses to interfere, dive-bombing and chasing away all comers. 

Guarding the nest, he is tempted by a bug close by on the ground, but he remains steadfast at his post. 

He decides to check out his mate’s work on the nest. 

But in no time flat, she is back with more…

…and more.

The opening to the nest box is a small target but as she lands, she digs into the wood with her sharp-toed claws.

She will repeat this dozens of times throughout the day until she is satisfied…

…or until the Catbird calls out “Break-time!”

My dog Betty, ever vigilant, hears the Catbird as well…

…and being proficient in trans-species communications,

takes the message to heart.

She quickly stands down to DEFCON-2…

DEFCON -3

DEFCON – 4

Turtle guards are quickly posted to take up the slack.

They take their job very seriously.

Heroes in a half-shell…Turtle Power!

Bluebirds 2011 #5

Success! One day before Spring and we have some prospective new tenants. About eight o’clock this morning on our way to breakfast I saw this Bluebird couple checking out one of our new Bluebird houses. This particular one was given to us by our neighbors Nancy and Judy next door. It came in a kit form and Candy did an excellent job putting it together. Altogether we have four houses up.One we built from scratch and Candy nicely decorated with some flowers, windows and a little fence, one my Mom gave us already built, the one pictured above and the old original one we put out as a decoy house to hopefully attract any nesting sparrows nearby.

Mr. Blue staking his claim.

Mrs. Blue checking out the new digs.

Prospective tenants.

Initial home inspections are important.

Mr. Blue seems satisfied. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and hopefully this will be chosen as their new home.