Fathers’ Day….
We’ll revisit our swan family in honor of Fathers’ Day weekend. The adult swan in the lower right corner of today’s shot is the male as distinguished by the larger knob at the base of the bill. In Europe, this is known as the “blackberry” and becomes more pronounced during the breeding season. At other times of the year it is much more difficult to tell the two sexes apart. Typically, the pair will have a clutch of 5 - 7 chicks, so perhaps only 4 eggs hatched or one of the chicks did not survive its first couple of weeks. The chicks will fledge in 4-5 months, but they will probably remain with the parents over the first winter. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
Barn swallow mating Nikon Z8 with Z100-400 mm @ 280mm 1/1000 sec f/7.11, ISO 360
Our next shot is of a Barn swallow pair (also at Iona Island) being proactive and getting ready to celebrate a belated Fathers’ Day. When Barn swallows are courting, they often sit on a limb or cable as seen here and preen and nuzzle one another. Apparently these two are well beyond that phase of the relationship as he flew in close to her, waited all of 10 seconds and proceeded to do what mating birds do. As is the case in so many bird species, the females are attracted to the most handsome males to take as their mates. Sadly for Barn swallow males, as their plumage begins to fade with time, the females will often look for “greener pastures” and the old worn male is retired and a new freshly plumaged male takes his place. This one better enjoy his position (literally) while he can!
Meanwhile, since we are on the topic of Barn swallows, it is time to check on our nests out at Silvermine.
The first nest to be checked is pretty much in the same state as the last time we looked. There was little activity as far as young birds or apparent incubation taking place. This female (as noted by a paler breast and throat) was busy lining the interior of her nest with feathers to make the quarters as comfortable as possible for her anticipated brood. Around the corner of the building, however, things were progressing at a much more rapid pace!
The last time we checked, this nest was being tended to by an adult bird, and apparently there were eggs within the nest as today we welcomed the sighting of four babies begging for food. Both Mom and Dad will forage for bugs to feed the little ones and it’s a good thing they both help out. It takes a lot of tiny insects to keep this brood going as well as keeping the energy of the adults at peak performance. Watch how the little ones below can anticipate the incoming meal as their excitement grows with the approach of the adult! The rich rust-colored breast of the incoming bird indicates that it is probably a male….good Dad!
Dinner is on the way! Happy Fathers’ Day to all you fathers out there in the natural world!
