Last we visited Disperser’s back yard, the swallows were more interested in the bluebird box than the tank-like Disperser-constructed tree swallows nest box.
By the way, if one is interested in building their own nest boxes, this site not only has lots of information about various birds, but this page gives the dimensional requirements for various species of birds (HERE).
For people looking to identify birds, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology . The useful thing is that if you find something that looks like a bird you are interested in, there is a tool down the page that points you to similar species. One can usually narrow down to the correct species in short order.
Anyway, swallows, new box, not used . . . it turns out I figured out what the problem was. You see, the original location was on one of the fence posts (see photo below). The problem is that in the last two years aspens shot up right in front of it, and blocked the direct flight into the box. The solution was easy . . . move the box.
I tried to keep the box from actually being in the yard since I occasionally mow the dang thing, and it might disturb the birds (as is they give me the evil eye when I hurry past).
He looks pissed off, but he was doing a happy dance inside. His lady, you see, found her nesting site. Of course, it took some convincing.
This is the sequence that sealed the deal (the lady is inside the box – visible in the larger view or in the SmugMug Gallery HERE).
“Oh, come on, honey. Look at this construction.”
“Because it’s a death trap!”
“Yeah, but I’m sure that it used to be over there . . . tell me this: how does a box move from one place to another, uh?”
“Guilty as charged, but I’m only wanting to give you guys the best.”
I swear, it went down exactly like that. They moved in, and I’m pretty sure they are actually nesting since the female is almost always inside the box. The male sits perched on the hummingbird feeder hanger as she plays homemaker.
These were shot a few days apart, and I tried to capture them both (she’s peeking out the hole – you can see her easier in the larger view or the original).
On a side note . . . Doves are beginning to piss me off something fierce. Specifically, the Eurasian Collared-Dove.
Just after sunrise, they like to perch on the roof right above our bedroom, and do their calls . . . it sounds like they are inside the bedrooms with us.
They don’t let up, so now we play a little game I call “shoot the rubber band at the annoying dove”.
It means I have to get up, but seeing as I can’t sleep, I might as well make their lives a bit more miserable. I figure I am just paying back. The game is played like this . . .
. . . I get up, grab a couple of rubber bands, and go out on the deck. It’s about a 20-25ft shot, but I learned how to shoot rubber bands in the design room of the Cadillac Motors Company, way back in 1978. I am very accurate. Accurate enough to aim at their feet (don’t want to risk hitting them in the eyes). They usually take off and go on the roof of one of the neighbors. I don’t have my camera with me when I do this, but here’s some shots I took at a different time.
Really, I don’t mind the sound throughout the day (hour after hour after hour), but early morning is a bit annoying, especially when I was up very late.
Hey! Look! . . . a goldfinch . . . wait . . . It may be a goldfinch transitioning from winter to Summer colors.
I did not get a good photo, but the marking on the wings and back are those of the goldfinch.
What the heck is that! It’s beautiful!
Why, Bob, that’s the Violet-Green Swallow.
I’ve never seen these here, and now I see them flying all over the place. I don’t know where they are nesting, but I wished they had picked my yard . . . alas, they just come by for the gorilla mulch.
A beautiful bird, it looked to me as if he was eating the mulch . . .
Let me return a moment to the nesting pair in my amazingly-constructed box . . . this is the female.
To me that looks closer to a violet-green swallow female, but not quite. For comparison, here’s the tree swallow female from last year . . .
Again, look at the difference . . .
I don’t know what to make of this since the two species are not known to cross-pair (that I could find).
The male looks the same as the one last year . . .
. . . but this female has a different look . . .
I will be interested in seeing the fledglings.
The Robin just looks on . . .
Clicking on any picture should open a larger version in a new window or tab – unless WordPress messes up again. The original sized photos can be seen in the SmugMug Gallery HERE.
That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.
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Astute persons might have noticed these doodles, and correctly surmised they hold some significance for me, and perhaps for humanity at large.
If you click on the doodle, and nothing happens, this is the link it’s supposed to go to: https://disperser.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/palm-vx-and-i/.
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. . . my FP ward . . . chieken shit.
Disperser Tracks 
I may have to build a house on the birch tree in the back yard to keep the birds from nesting on the outdoor light fixtures on the house. Then I can get some better shots from the South window. But it will have to be a store-bought house since my woodworking skills are non-existent.
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I’m no carpenter, and that looks fancier than it is . . . six pieces of wood cut from patters. Most boxes are simpler, literally a rectangular box (although some slope the roof).
The reason I made one is that the ones I bought are really poorly slopped together. I had literally taken the one I bought apart and put it back together to close large gaps and make it structurally sound.
I figure I could do that with my own pieces of wood.
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Fabulous photos. If I was a handy person, I’d try make some bird boxes myself. But I’m not. I’d like to add some to my yard.
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At one time you were not a photographer, either. Most people are handier than they think . . . think of it as a new hobby.
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. . . or, find a bored retired person . . . they will probably make you a number of them for free.
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Very nice images, Emilio….I’ve grown rather fond of the swallows.
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Thanks, Scott.
It’s difficult to pick favorites, but they rank way up there in my hierarchical rankings.
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You’re welcome…way up there in mine, too.
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Spectacular images. Sharp, clear, great balance. Nice. M
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Thank you. Always nice to hear.
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Great images, Emilio. Must be fun to have so many bird friends visiting your garden. My favourite photos are the ones of the Violet-Green Swallow. Such a beautiful little bird – and you captured it beautifully.
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Thank you. As I said, it was the first time I’d seen one. As the neighborhood’s trees have matured, more birds are coming into the area.
While all are welcome, I do appreciate this little guy drooping by.
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great photos! I’ve never had birds choose our nest boxes. We have a pair of ring doves just like yours and last year they nested in the apricot tree just outside our bedroom window. How lucky was that? Amelia
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Not lucky at all if they are as noisy as the ones here.
I’ve not done much with boxes, but so far the ones I’ve been involved with have been used (at work and here).
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Lots and lots of great shots! Love the cute exchange between the two house hunters and glad they decided to stay (and very interesting that her color is different). And that Violet-Green Swallow is one handsome fellow with a great appetite. I also like those two colorful shots from your deck of the male on the iron hanger overlooking the yard and neighbors. Totally enjoyed this!
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Thanks. Lots more ahead of you when you get the chance.
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