28 May 09
Tree Swallow
Apologies for a) the dearth of sketches, b) the abundance, lately, of tree swallow ones when I finally get around to it. It’s probably tedious, but nowhere near as tedious as life is for this pair, that are now switching places on a regular basis to incubate. They’re not doing much of that, though, there’s no need; it’s hot. I imagine they do sit on eggs at night. But it’s been HOT here.
24 May 09
22 May 09
Bluebirds: Nesting or Not?
We know the bluebirds built a nest because they tried to band chicks; the nest was empty. The pair have continued to frequent the area, though. I haven’t seen one enter the nest box for a while.
Both birds, including the banded male, were hanging around at lunchtime while Becky and I sketched.
15 May 09
Friday Sketching
Lunchtime sketching with Becky. It’s getting hot, so not so many birds, but a bushtit put in an appearance. I tried a couple of swallows flying high and a very high Swainson’s.
14 May 09
Tree Swallow Preening
The male tree swallow guards the nest box from magpies and mowers. It’s hard work and requires plenty of preening.
12 May 09
Swainson's Thrush
This bird hit the window hard… sat around dazed for a while, but flew off when I tried to get it in a box so one of the vets could take a look.
I’m going to get the screens on the windows at lunch, I hate this.
8 May 09
Tree Swallow
A bit of a break, here, apologies. While I was off having gastroenteritis the tree swallows have apparently gotten well into nesting. The female perches in the hole for lengthy periods, looking up, down, left, right. The male, nearby, chases off magpies and other intruders.
30 April 09
Western Tanager
Wow. They don’t sit still very long. A thrill to get on this one long enough for a quick sketch, though.
