"Enee, Menee, Mighty, Mo," my father-in-law couldn't wait to introduce us. He knew they would indefinitely hold me hostage, that I would thrill to their existence.
Four baby birds living under his roof. Ordinary barn swallows (extraordinary to me). Darlings of nature.
He urged me to see them the night I arrived, aware their nest was soon to be empty. A man who goes to the trouble of naming four baby birds understands why it's important to hurry. He didn't want me to miss their show.
So I watched them that night and again the next morning. When zoom on my camera wasn't enough, I pulled up a perch to get a closer look. (Me wobblin' on a stool at the top of a small flight of stairs, now that's a picture!)
I was spellbound. Those faces! Expressive, curious, alike and yet different.
Objects of my affection, they were impassive to my intrusion. The only thing they cared about was their mama. I had no need for eyes in the back of my head; when she approached their body language told me she was on the way.
Below is my favorite, captured with my iPhone; the only shot with all four beaks simultaneously open. They're a tiny aviary assemble!
Barn swallows are sloppy nest builders. They have no regard for their host families. But for those who can look beyond the mess, they're fun and fascinating to watch.
A few more of my favorites; I wish they were crisper shots, but I didn't realize until after the fact I needed to adjust settings.
I was serious when I mentioned my father-in-law named them; he made a sign and posted it by their nest….
But after observing them for a while, I would've renamed them….
I think I could give up television for good. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching my favorite shows, but give me a roaring campfire or a storm coming in on the horizon or a nest of baby birds and I'm entertained and mesmerized.
Does anything in nature do this for you? DO tell me I'm not the only one!
That’s funny. I was just looking at some photos my husband and I took 13 years ago that look identical to yours! They are pretty cool to watch.
You are not the only one who loves just watching nature and soaking in God’s glorious creation. Just think… we are looking at a ‘fallen’ creation and yet find it spectacular. We will be totally blown away one day when God ‘renews’ his grand creation to its first splendor as it was meant to be.
Things that do it for me? all the ones you mentioned and sunrise and sunset, the waves crashing on a beach, standing on top of a mountain looking out at the view, the tiny fingers of a micro preemie or for that matter any baby of any age. God’s creation certainly is AWE-some.
LOVE barn swallows! My cover photo on my “For the Home” Pinterest board is a palette based on their plumage. I like the palette a lot, but the accompanying photo of the sweetest little row of eenie meenies? Well, that makes my day every time I see it. I would have been right there with you risking life and limb on a precarious perch for the opportunity to observe these works of art. Thanks so much for sharing.
Love, Jeanne
Love it, we have two bird houses right outside our family room window and it is so awesome to see the mom and dad ‘busy’ taking care of the babies. Yes you are right when mom comes near a chorus of ‘chirping’ takes place. It is always sad for me when they grow and fly away.
Swallows are my favorite to watch. the way they skim thru the air and their beautiful chatter – did you know they live on every continent except antartica??
We’ve been blessed with 2 nests on the front of our porch columns for the last two years. I always look forward to their arrival –
Blessings!