Bluebird Feeders

We got our bluebird feeder a few years ago and I'm pretty sure that for the first year, we never saw a bluebird in it.  Steve, my brother, had also given us a bluebird house that he built and it went unoccupied for about a year too.

Then they came and they've been the most delightful birds to watch EVER!  They're very social with one another and although somewhat shy, not so much that we couldn't get lots of pictures.

 

The interesting thing about a bluebird feeder is that the bluebird is the only bird that can figure out how to get into one.  I found that hard to believe but now I'm pretty sure it's true because I've never seen another species figure it out.

As you can see, the robin wants in but just can't get in.

I love it especially when I see two blue birds in the feeder at once.  Usually when one comes in, the other leaves but in a sweet social kind of way.

But sometimes, the bird that's there first isn't all that happy to welcome an interloper.

Usually though they get along quite well together.

 

 

There are times, however, when even a bluebird has trouble figuring out how to get in.  You can see the new one entering the scene near the top of this picture.

 And when he lands, he lands in the wrong place.

And seems completely stymied as to what to do about it.

 

 

 

In this series of pictures, the confused bluebird never does figure out how to get in, but I'm pretty sure that I'll eventually come to a series of pictures showing the parents diligently trying to teach the fledglings the ins and outs (literally) of a bluebird feeder.  When I do, I'll post it too.

You Capture - An Animal

Beth's You Capture challenge this week is 'An Animal' and at first I thought it really would be a challenge.  But that was when I was forgetting that birds are indeed animals.

Of course I couldn't leave out the bluebirds that still visit our feeder and birdbath multiple times every day.

They also sit on the fence while trying to contend with the wind.


And I have to include this cute little black capped chickadee holding his bird feeder treasure between his feet.

And this sparrow who looks annoyed at my intrusion.

But my favorite bird shots today were of this downy woodpecker.  He was enjoying his meal and I was enjoying photographing him enjoying it.

When an intruder decided to partake of the feast right around the corner.

The woodpecker was obviously annoyed and took immediate measures to send him on his way.

Finally his efforts paid off and the intruder 'flew the coop'.

Although the woodpecker's feathers were still ruffled for a time, he eventually settled down to finish his meal.

The last bird I photographed was sitting on an animal-friendly apparatus put in place to help lost animals find new homes.

You know, lost animals like these.  See how well it works?

For more animal shots, visit Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry.  Better yet, why not put up some animal shots of your own.

Bluebirds Are So Smart!

I've read that bluebirds have great vision but I've never read that bluebirds are smart.  I surmised that myself after we bought our bluebird feeder early last Spring.

The bluebird feeder has a normal bird feeder platform with plexiglass panels on each side but no food can get under those side panels like you'd find in a regular bird feeder.  The panels are tight to the platform and the only way to access the food is through holes found on each end of the feeder.
 
I've watched adult bluebirds teach their youngsters how to get in by demonstrating the technique.  Here is a series of pictures of a young bluebird who got in but then could only focus on how to get out.  He didn't even eat any of the tasty meal worms  His only concern was figuring out his exit strategy.

After racing back and forth for a few seconds, he appeared to stop and think about it.

Until he figured it out.

 And flew off.

To join Dad on the fence who was watching carefully the whole time.

And perhaps the most interesting thing of all is that no other bird will enter this feeder.  They just can't seem to figure it out.

I've said it before but I'll say it again, there's nothing more entertaining than watching these quirky, interesting, beautiful, and smart little birds. 

You Capture - The Bluebird......I Mean Something I Love

Beth's You Capture subject this week is Something I Love.  There are many things I love but if I'm not around the kids and the grandkids and the great grandkids, then Something I Love can be found in the backyard...again.  You already know I love the bluebird and I'm always looking for another reason to photograph one and then post those photographs; and now You Capture has provided one. 

Most of today's photos center around the Bluebird's favorite hangout, the birdbath.  They're very clean little birds and very territorial about their birdbath.

 

That's it.  Time to fly off and look for more excuses to post bird photos. 

To see what everybody else is loving this week, visit Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry.

You Capture - Inside

Beth's You Capture theme this week is Inside.  Once again I was at a loss....at first.  Then Eli gave me a hint when he sat inside this box.

I also looked in the backyard for inspiration and saw a bluebird inside the bluebird feeder with another on top waiting his turn.

Finally the waiter lost his patience but the insider warned the intruder away.

 After waiting a little longer and a little more patiently.

 There was a switch and for just a second there was nobody inside.

Yesterday I turned to the birdbath where one bluebird was inside, one waited on the perimeter and another arrived on the scene.

The bluebird inside wasn't budging despite a lot of grousing from the other two.  In fact he appears to be talking back.

 But the insider held his ground (or his water).

And finally I looked at the koi pond this morning and saw all these residents inside.

For lots more insider views, visit Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry.