Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Under construction

There's a lot of new construction happening at the ranch this spring.
The crew of swallows shows up around noon, right about the time I top off the stock tank and let the water overflow.



They swoop down into the mud to collect their building materials...



...then transport it back to their work site.



I'm not the only sidewalk supervisor. A few of us show up regularly 
to spend our lunch break following the progress.



The crew is a model of productivity.



Despite the tedious and repetitive nature of their job, they come back day after day and keep on building.



They're working on nine nests at various locations around the house. 
Some are new, others are undergoing repairs and renovations.



In the evening, when I settle into my own nest to write a blog post for the next day, the night shift arrives.
It's so easy to get swallowed up into their activities, it's a wonder I ever get anything done.


14 comments:

  1. Indeed it is large-scale "chantier" you're having there! they sport beautiful colours. Do I see orange on their collar? 7 SNW could be re-named OASIS!

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  2. Goodness, watching all of that activity would make me exhausted also eh ;-)

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  3. 9 nests! Wow~that's a lot. I love the constuction "supervisors".

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  4. Great Post! But then they all are...I love watching the birds..... have an egg collection, not any that have been robbed from an active nest of course!

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  5. WOW, Nine nests. That's a lot of beautiful Swallows. I love the sound of the Morning Doves. I have about 4 that regularly show up. Of course feeding them helps lure them in. Do you have bird feeders too? I'm thinking you'd go broke trying to feed that flock, LOL. "Eats like a bird" is a stupid expression, mine are pigs! No offense Wynonna.

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  6. How many swallows do you have? I love barn swallows, and tree swallows and bluebirds. Ours have all returned, I love the way they swoop around, and I love the flashes of blue from the bluebirds.

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  7. I'm glad you put up with all the mess and enjoy the swallows, just being swallows.

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  8. I've been watching the wrens maneuver sticks through the little holes in the wren house. One stick at a time, all day long. Birds are pretty amazing. So nice of you to provide the mud.

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  9. Swallows are favorite birds to me. Now its good to know they "recycle" old nests too. I didn't know they did that.

    Kind of you to give them a helping hand!

    Jo in MN

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  10. Such beauties and great photos.. Did they really build that roller coaster in the last frame? ;)

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  11. Wonderful photos! You offer everything swallows could possibly want! Terrific!

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  12. Never a dull moment around there. We have at least one pair of swallows taking up residence somewhere on our property. I must go visit the new neighbours soon.

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  13. I am assuming Hank is the "straw boss". Heehee :)

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