While I was eating my lunch today a family of Welcome Swallows were eating theirs. We watched each other between mouthfuls until I abandoned mine to get my camera, which is never far away.
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
Each fledging waited patiently, sometimes stretching or preening until a parent bird swooped over my head at which point all three fledglings started calling, opening their mouths and trembling their wings. Occasionally a fledgling would fly out to meet its parent and take food on the wing, great training to help develop their hawking skills.
Welcome Swallow
Welcome Swallow
I was pleased that this tiny fledgling kept its eye open when preening.
Welcome Swallow
Welcome Swallow
Welcome Swallow
When the parent bird arrived the transfer of food was incredibly quick. I had to watch the fledgling’s body language carefully to ensure that I pressed the shutter button with the vague hope of catching the moment of feeding. This parent bird has a tiny mite on the blue feathers of its back – I love the detail that bird photography reveals.
These swallows were backed by trees, a white tank and the sky depending on which way they ran. I prefer the soft green background. If you like these little birds you may enjoy the Fairy Martins’ post: the two species are very similar.
Happy Birding, Kim
Sweet wee birds
I think so too Tamsin
What a great way to spend lunchtime, eating, watching birds and photographing them!
It was blissful
Lovely photos, Kim….your are getting very good at catching ‘the moment’
Thank you Carole, I’m really pleased that you liked the photos. I’ve always had a soft spot for Welcome Swallows ever since they moved into our new house the week before we did.