The innocents

I'm not sure that the female Tree Swallow (on the right) looks 'innocent', but both were equally guilty of harassing the nesting pair of Mountain Bluebirds with a box on the next fence post. Who knows why they do this, especially when the Bluebirds have been nesting for some time already. The male Bluebird had to fly in to attack several times while I was there.

There is always so much competition between these two species when nesting season arrives. Two nest boxes are supposed to be placed a certain distance from each other, but fairly close, to give both species a chance. I enjoy photographing both species. The male Tree Swallows are glorious when the sun brings out their iridescence.

Yesterday afternoon, 12 June 2017, on the spur of the moment, I went for a short drive SW of the city. The sun was shining, but unfortunately it was windy most of the time. My main purpose was to check on a few of the Mountain Bluebirds, who are now busy as can be, collecting insects to feed to their hungry babies. I know this will soon be over and the young ones will have fledged, so I really must make myself visit them again, or it will be too late.

I had also hoped that maybe one of the Great Gray Owls in the area might just be out hunting. No luck this time. Makes me even more grateful to have seen one during our May Species Count on 28 May 2017.