Aristotle said
One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.
Well I hesitate to disagree with such a great philosopher, but in this instant he is wrong, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven swallows have certainly made my summer and their brief time with me has made me an entirely happy person.
I noticed the parents making the nest a while ago and have been tip toeing about the barn for fear of frightening them off, there were moments when I thought I had failed and they had left.
However on the 3rd July some very frantic new parents started to feed some newly hatched babies in the nest.
The on the 12th July three very bemused babies appeared, they managed to get themselves, trapped in our tool shed, and by early evening a heap of very exhausted birds were stacked into the corner of the barn.
We were delighted that the young parents had been successful in bringing into the world three strong babies.
The on the 14th July I Iooked up from my computer and saw FIVE little swallows sitting on an upturned bedstead waiting for breakfast.
I have done very little in the past two days other than do my utmost to get photographs of the miraculous and fragile creatures being fed and nurtured by their diligent and devoted parents.
I have hung out of windows, crept around the drive in stocking feet, and sat silently in the boot of the car so not to disturb them.
I hope you enjoy the photo's as much as I have enjoyed taking them.
Blossom
12 comments:
Wonderful photographs I love swallows and can completely understand you being fascinated by them . Thank you for sharing them with us.
FANTASTIC photos Blossom. You are very clever getting these (and patient).
I am besotted with the housemartins who nest in the eaves of our cottage. We have swallows across the road in the old forge.
Those are adorable photos. The universal look of a hungry little one!
Great, great pictures, Blossom! Me too, I love swallows and always enjoy watching them. This year no one is nesting in the horse stables as we had bad weather damages over the last 2 years. But they do visit and must be nesting close by. They love to take mud from where the horses queue at the gate and then they hover over the pond and get water drops out. Did you know that the second offspring of barn-swallows will also be fed by brothers and sisters, by those who were born first in June? Now you will look out if those which were born in your shed will come back and make more nests next year. Our commune has asked if we agreed to get ready nests for house martins. Sadly, we are the only ones to have accepted, all others fear the muck below. They will come around with a proper contract for 5 years and will be installed in winter. Hopefully we get then house martins next summer. Hope to see more of yours, I love this post!
Fantastic photographs Blossom. Would that I were so patient. (You didn't nail their little feet to the perch did you?)
They are stunning photos Blossom, and how lovely that they have chosen to nest with you and share these lovely youngsters with you.
Terrific photos, Blossom, what a lovely little family. And I have been reading about your Isle of Wight adventure too. Good luck with it all. Love M xxx
Gorgeous! A friend had some house martins nesting near her front door, and when I went to visit the fledglings were on the verge of flying the nest for good. Every morning we'd see them poking their heads out the nest, waiting for Mum to return. They looked so perfect and still, it was as though they'd been modelled. Absolutely beautiful. I love sitting in my garden in the evenings and watching the swallows. I'll truly miss them when they leave.
good points and the details are more specific than elsewhere, thanks.
- Thomas
Playing a bit of catch-up, dear BLossom... but why no blog for so very long?
Love that you've got a place on the IoW....never been but it looks fabulous (also looked a bit like this did when we bought it with the ultra-tasteful wallpaper and bathroom fittings.) jxxx
I totally agree. Being a part of such an amazing phenominom is life-changing.
Blossom,
You just left me one of the NICEST, most LOVELY comments I've ever gotten, actually, it is the THE nicest, most lovely comment I've ever gotten! Thank you! It's messages like yours that keep me posting, keeps the bar high...I don't like letting anyone down especially if I know someone's actually looking and I too am constantly trying to sharpen my pencil. Thank you!
Funny, I think I must have been to your blog looking for photo references of swallow and found your lovely photos. All of your photos are wonderful. So a huge thank you to the inspiration you have given me. You haven't posted in awhile...hmmm.
As I explored your blog and saw Smokey, I smiled. I grew up showing and eventing a gray named "Brief Eclipse" -- Oh, he was a gift of life... I don't ride anymore, and I wonder what happened to him as I went off to college, but a day does not go by when I don't miss those hard hooves and huge hearts. We have Ellie Mae a rescued coonhoun and she fills some of the heart void, but her paws aren't so hard...
Anyway, I've rambled. Thank you for your most inspiring message...
Penny
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