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Thread: Grumpy Fledgling

  1. #1
    Glenda Simmons
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    Default Grumpy Fledgling

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Canon 7D , :) big, new, upgrade from my rebel, 100-400 lens at 370mm, f/8, ISO 800, + 1/3, handheld
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    Believe me, this little fellow would prefer to not have his portrait taken on a brick, either! He had a rough night!

    I'd like to share my story, that goes along with this image. Hope you don't mind the side trip.

    One week ago, after arriving home from my work day, I watched a couple of Eastern Bluebirds peeking out the entrance hole to their nesting box, that the two shared with three other siblings. I monitor the bluebirds in my yard, closely, and knew they would fledge at any time. I went inside the house to get my camera gear, hoping to witness the big event. As I walked toward my front door, I saw a flash of blue on my front porch, through window. Opening the door, was like entering a three-ring circus!

    The "flash of blue" made a very wobbly, low and slow flight back toward his nesting box, a short distance away, landing on the trunk of a small, tree next to the box. He held tight, clinging to the bark. Out of my peripheral vision, I saw movement in the shrubbery grass, next to my porch, and spotted the second fledgling. It was hopping and trying to escape what must have seemed like a jungle to him. I then saw movement about six feet up a Crape Myrtle tree, just over the head of the fledgling, below. This was the only fledgling that figured out how to get up in the tree, rather than on the ground below the trees. Mom and Dad were swooping down, with constant chatter, trying to get these grounded birds to follow them in flight. It did not work! Also, it appeared to be a community effort, as several House Finches and Cardinals landed on the ground next to the fledglings in what appeared to be a joint effort to get these birds airbourne. In the meantime, I watched another fledgling, observing all the commotion from the safety of it's nesting box. (which still leaves one unaccounted for, likely, also, inside the box) For the next hour, I observed from a distance, the fledglings hopping about my yard, taking short flights, a couple feet off the ground, and preening, like they did not have a care in the world. Their parents, obviously, were very concerned. I put mealworms out and the parents quickly fed everyone, which seemed to help calm them all. Then the fledgling, pictured, took off, again, this time hopping across the street, into my neighbors yard, that has cats and dogs. I made a big loop behind it, and herded it back into my yard. Again, it tried to fly, and flew (still very asynchronous and low to the ground) into another neighbor's yard. This neighbor, also has a cat and a dog, and would probably have gladly hand fed this fledgling to her animals, as a payback for me recently giving her cat a free ride to the pound. Again, I tried to herd it back on my property, but this time was able to actually pick him up, and escorted him, to my yard. I placed him in a low branch of the tree, he was previously under, but the second I released him, he blasted off. At least he was getting some much needed flight practice. He just could not seem to pick up altitude, or was very directionally challenged!

    By this time, it was almost dark and I had lost track of the other fledglings, trying to keep up with this one. He finally climbed a foot off the ground, up the trunk of a tree, to a knothole, which was a snug fit, but at least kept him out of plain view of predators. At this point, I felt this was the best place this little guy could be, since he could not get to the treetop. This knothole is where I am certain, this fledgling spent his first night, out in the big world, alone, and quite the opposite of it's cozy nesting box.

    The next morning, I immediately went looking for the fledgling. Not seeing the bird in the knothole, I turned and walked toward my house, and spotted him, just sitting on this brick next to my house. He looked pooped and grumpy, but I was relieved he had survived. Note the one little feather protruding from the right side of his head. I thought it was a cute reminder of his first day in the wild. I then spotted another fledgling, napping, low in a tree, close by, and saw one flitting about, fairly high in a tree, where the others should be. The parents were both close by, so I left them to figure out their strategy plans. Later in the day, I found, what I assumed to be these two, a little higher up in a different tree, and none on the ground. Yeah!

    I can only hope they all made it, but reminded of the harsh reality of nature, that fledging day, is the most dangerous day of any bird's life.

    Another interesting fact to pass along. SEVENTEEN bluebirds have now fledged my yard, this season, from three pairs, in a territory generally required for one pair! That's another story in itself, a first time occurrence in my yard. I have nestlings that just hatched in another box, and Mom incubating eggs in another. And nesting season is not over!! I'm tired just thinking about it.

  2. #2
    Axel Hildebrandt
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks for sharing the story, great that they raised so many chicks and I hope this one is going to make it, too.

  3. #3
    sandy richards
    Guest

    Default

    Wonderful story!
    THis little one DOES look tired and grumpy!
    He's a little soft, but the red bricks set him off well.
    Have fun with the new camera!

    Sandy

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