“Against all Odds”
For as long as Gracie can remember, she has had an interest in observing birds and photographing them. Because of her love and dedication her family have gradually been won over. Her DH. joins in by building nesting boxes and feeders for her.
Her dear little grandson has been interested ever since he learnt to talk and called each bird a Jay. It was Blue Jay, Red Jay, Yellow Jay and so forth. Gracie is now teaching him the correct names for each bird. By the serious look on that little face as he looks at the pictures in Grandma’s book, I am certain that he will follow in her footsteps.
At present she has 6 nesting boxes and 10 different types of feeders. She also keeps some bagel treats hanging in the trees.
Her favourite bird is the Eastern Bluebird and the photograph which she considers to be her best capture is of the mum and dad Bluebird. Personally I think that all of Gracie’s photos are the best.
Recently she set up a wonderful display at her place of work (at the request of her boss) It drew lots of attention from customers and the media. A job very well done and congratulations on your great effort.
One day she hopes to observe and photograph a Bald Eagle and seeing that there’s a nest some 15 miles away from where she lives I know her wish will come true.
I know you are almost bursting to tell your story Gracie so please go ahead.
“This is my story about a pair of Eastern Bluebirds.
On April 1, I noticed that a pair of Eastern Bluebirds were building a nest in this Wren House on my front porch
After much debate as to whether this would be a safe house for them to build in, I decided to put up a regular Bluebird Cedar Nest Box in almost the exact same place. I carefully moved their nesting material from the Wren House and placed it in the new Nest Box, wondering if they would actually continue to build in the new one. Well, they did!! They finished their nest in the new box and didn’t seem to mind all the traffic of us coming and going from the house. This is very unusual for Bluebirds as they are supposed to prefer open areas to build their nest and on posts 5 or 6 feet from the ground. They finished their nest and of course I was getting pictures of all the progress.
April 21 – the first egg was laid and on April 25 the fifth and final egg was laid
O.K. the countdown starts and in 14 days the babies should hatch and I am a nervous wreck and am hoping and praying that everything goes well for them. May 9 should be the big day! On May 8 when I peeped in to check on the eggs, 2 babies had hatched. On May 10 all of them had hatched
I took photos every other day to record their progress. On May 21, I just knew that they were going to fledge any day now and I so wanted to see them take their first flight. On May 25 they were still in the nest box so I took a chance and sneaked the door open and got one more shot of them.
They are so photogenic and they were getting so big! No wonder Mom and Dad had to carry such huge amounts of food to them!
Well the next morning I should have gotten up earlier because when I went out to check on them, they had fledged and I missed it. I was so sad…and in the back of my mind I was wondering if something had got to them.
From May 26 until June 3, I never saw them. Days went by and I kept listening and looking for them, then one day I just knew that I could hear them up in the tree in front of my house. I was so relieved that at least I could hear them.
One June 3, I was in the back yard and I looked up and there was one sitting on an electrical line, one on top of my clothesline and another in a Magnolia tree and two more in another tree ….. all 5 of them and how happy I was.
I ran inside to get the camera hoping they would still be there when I got back and they were
This has been the most unusual experience for me because I can remember when I was trying so hard to get ‘JUST ONE’ good picture of an Eastern Bluebird. This lovely couple not only has given me one good picture but they have allowed me to witness all of this right on my front porch.
Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird… I have thoroughly enjoyed your company” ~Gracie~
From the other side of the world I am sharing your thrill and excitement at this extremely happy event. A wonderful story and thank you for sharing it.