Thursday, June 05, 2008

SkyWatch Friday: Birds on a Wire





A pair of resting Barn Swallows against a clear blue sky



Since my earliest recollections, Barn Swallows have nested in our barn. I remember as a child checking out their mud nest attached to the sides of the support beams. I would wonder how they managed to stick them so securely to the beams using only mud.

I remember many times climbing up to check if they had young in the nest. I was always amazed at how quickly the little ones grew to where they too could join the graceful flock; wheeling and darting about through the skies above our pastures, hay and grain fields.

This evening while penning a few head of cattle for market, I took time to capture this image. The sight of the swallows flying above the cattle brought back some of my early memories of these beautiful, beneficial little speedsters.

17 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

This is a wonderful shot. There are barn swallows near us who are a delight to watch. We wonder what the hurry is all the time!

I can't think of these birds without recalling the Jimmy Stewart movie, "Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation." Stewart's character encounters a bird watcher who has a funny way of walking when he is out looking for barn swallows. It's very funny.

FO - 2 said...

Beautiful! :)

Anonymous said...

A very charming photo!

Anonymous said...

These are really nice birds and they do eat a lot of insects. I have never, in my lifetimes, seen a swallow at any bird feeders I have had.

Daniel J Santos said...

beautiful catch, beautiful image.

Shelley said...

I wonder what the 2 barn swallows are talking about... nice shot.

Sharon said...

Very nice! They are lovely against that grey-blue sky!

Tom said...

A neat capture of a pair of great birds... I like this Sky Watch post as much for your words as I did your picture. Whilst reading I was treated to more pictures forming in my mind, The excitement of a small boy checking out the nest .. and then again the man getting the cattle ready for market.. both pictures formed perfectly in my mind.. hope the price at market is a good one.

Tom

Anonymous said...

They're wonderful. Great photo.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

I love barn swallows! I haven't seen any since moving a bit further away from the beach (there were a pair near an old barn on the road leading to the beach). Right now we have a flicker who is driving us bonkers! lol

imac said...

Great shot and story Salty.

pop and see the Lady and the Lamp.

Kim said...

Great shot. We always had barn swallows as well. They are so fun to watch.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Lovely birds and a nice shot of them. Good Sky Watch.

Your watermark/copyright is very cleverly placed.

photowannabe said...

Really nice shot. Not too many times they just sit and comtemplate the day. I usually see them darting and fliting about .

EG CameraGirl said...

Well, it's amazing the barn swallow stopped long enough for you to take their photos! Good catch!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Salty: How did I miss this great shot for SWF. I'm not sure but a neat way to show your talents along with a blue sky.

Jane Hards Photography said...

So hard to capture static. This is a wonderufl shot.