Baby Bluebirds

I'm not sure how many have hatched but mom and dad Bluebird have been very busy feeding some hungry mouths. I used a mechanic's mirror to try to see who was in there but I just couldn't get the angle right. Then I thought about the bad ass super wide angle of the GoPro. It did the trick and gave us our first glimpse of the babies. 

Bluebird Watch - The Backyard Drama Continues

The other day the bluebirds were suddenly absent. A quick look in the box revealed ANTS! I went into action mode, grabbed the drill took off the top and the front and began smashing and sweeping out all the ants from the bird house. I ended up pulling the nest out of the house and smashing the ants that were hiding under the nest. Gently, I removed each egg (they are unbelievably light and by this point I was sweating bullets) and removed the ants from the eggs. The eggs were still intact and in great condition, no cracks. Whew! When I was satisfied that I had destroyed as many ants as I could I put the nest back with the eggs neatly arranged, put the top and the front back on. Then I dusted the base of the pole with Bayor Ant Killer. I went around the corner of the house to put the ant killer back into the cabinet and when I returned to the backyard (literally within a minute) the bluebirds were standing on their house. She flew into the house and rearranged the eggs and the nest. 

We are still waiting for the eggs to hatch. Our fingers are crossed. 

Sharpie Work

Haven't had much time to draw lately. Got some inspiring words and advice from Paul Puckett. Sharpies are unforgiving and once you realize that and just go for it, things tend to go much more smoothly. Thanks for the advice and I will put it to good use. 

 Another Paul Puckett inspired "Tail."

A quick Tarpon sketch. 

Cedar Waxwings

The Cedar Waxwings arrived. They will probably only be here for a day or two but they are something to watch when they arrive. They swarm the junipers and fill the air with their soft high-pitched trill "brezee zee" call. In the third picture there is a squirrel wondering who these birds are. He looks scared.

Bluebirds - The Second Build

A few weeks ago the female bluebird vanished after a few days of building. The male sang and sang and did his "look at this great place I have found for you to build your nest" dance. I figured something got her (and something might have and he has attracted another mate) or she just didn't like something about the spot. Then I got a phone call from Jen. "Your bluebirds are back, both of them and they are building again. I was so happy and laughed at how sappy I have gotten over these birds and how worried I became after I stopped seeing them outside around the house. 

Well they are back and at it again. This female carries huge bunches of grasses and branches into the nest box. During one of her trips she crossed paths with a squirrel and dropped what she was carrying to beat the squirrel, with the help of the male. They made this awesome "click click click" sound and dive bombed the squirrel until it retreated into the trees. Several other birds met the same treatment when they landed too close to the nest box. It was a pretty entertaining day in the back yard. 

Tater was not impressed. 

A Pair of Visitors at Dusk

I stepped out on the porch to enjoy some Sushi Monster (dad's favorite) and while taking it all in I noticed someone running by. It stopped for a bit and then found something that it spent some effort digging out and yipping happily before it ran off over the hill. A few moments later and here comes another visitor. It watched me eat the sushi as I "clicked" at it. Then it took off on the same trail and stopped at the top of the hill to look back one more time before vanishing. 

Fishing Room / Fly Tying Room

We all have them and if we don't have them, we want them. They are custom made, organized (some more than others) and decorated but they all contain the same things. Fish art, tying table, materials, boxes, flies, books and photos. Fly fishing rooms are awesome. Below is Captain Greg Moon's Fishing Room.  Kick ass.

Tying Table

Materials

Flies