Tonight I had planned on doing a post on all of my wonderful birds that I photographed along the roads here in Allegany State Park. I had already edited the pictures and had the basic layout planned. Then I went outside for a quick drive and checked on how the Tree Swallow were doing (and took these pictures)!! How could I not do a follow up on the Tree Swallows and not post the cutest pictures that I have ever taken??
To be honest, not sure and too afraid to peak inside the bluebird boxes to see if any have died yet!! I promised myself that I would wait till early next week to check and by then most of the weather will have peaked already. I also hope to believe that they are all still very strong and capable of finding food. I was able to locate many Swallows still skimming the water for insects along Red House Lake and lucky the water hasn’t started freezing yet. I then came across this cluster of swallows near one of the nesting boxes and came within 6 feet of them (which is my minimum focal length). It was quite obvious that these guys were more concerned in staying warm from their body heat than showing any fear from me getting too close. I will continue to keep everyone updated and postpone my other post till tomorrow.
22 Comments
6 April 2007 at 8:22 pm
Great pictures!-I’m really loooking forward to seeing Tree Swallows.-keep the pictures coming.
6 April 2007 at 8:43 pm
You’re sooo lucky to have so many around and reasonably close. Great pictures – beautiful birds.
6 April 2007 at 11:00 pm
Lord have mercy. Is there an award for “Cutest Bird” photo? If so, you win it. Hands down. And they just happen to be my favorite songbird.
I have to go back and stare at that some more.
Oh my goodness. You rock.
6 April 2007 at 11:22 pm
Best bird post ever! You should be making money from these photos. Pixar couldn’t even come up with cuter images.
6 April 2007 at 11:36 pm
Great shot Tom! These birds are just not made for this weather. Its cold over here in IL too – made it above freezing for a while today and Tree Swallows were also hunting over water. Fortunately it was sunny – might not be like that the next few days.
6 April 2007 at 11:54 pm
They are ADORABLE and I feel so badly for them. Brrrr!
7 April 2007 at 12:19 am
The birds are beautiful with their white bellys that look like snow and with the irridescient teal sheen on top. It is a great feeling when you are able to capture these moments in nature. I am always so excited to download my images and be able to share the moments surrounding them.
7 April 2007 at 12:21 am
Yes, you should be making money off these photos! They are absolutely above all the rest. I love the swallows…I pray for the best for them, and those bluebirds, too. Keep us updated, please. Your stories are amazing.
7 April 2007 at 2:17 am
Outstanding. Beautiful birds indeed.
7 April 2007 at 5:50 am
These are the cutest, best photos Mon@rch! The first one should definitely be on the cover of a birdie mag, or at least inside a birdie mag!!! Awesome!!!
7 April 2007 at 8:17 am
Superb images! That first shot should win you a photo contest or two.
7 April 2007 at 10:05 am
Those are the cutest tree swallows ever! What a great shot and a rare moment.
7 April 2007 at 11:50 am
I will add my voice to the chorus of oooohs and ahhhhs at your wonderful shot of lined up tree swallows. It is certainly magazine worthy. And the fact that you care about them so much makes it even more special.
7 April 2007 at 1:21 pm
@ Larry – thanks and will keep them coming!
@ NShutterbug – thanks and they are not so lucky with the snow!
@ Susan – blush, thanks!
@ Ruth – thanks and the picture is what is doing everything for the post! Thanks but Pixstar might use this idea for their next film?? I wish!!!!!
@ Matt – we have had snow non stop for the past 3 days! They just are not having a good week.
@ liz, thanks and hope it does get better for them
@ Wendy – thanks for commenting and it is wonderful to share with everyone!
@ Mary – Kind words from youself like this is worth more to me than cash!
@ Verd – thanks!
@ Pam – hope your father is doing better! Hey maybe BT3 is reading this??
@ Mike – thanks but just happy to share with everyone!
@ Robin – they are cute and long story on how I saw them sitting there!
@ KGMom – thanks for such kind words and like I said above, your all kind words is why I continue taking these pictures!
7 April 2007 at 8:26 pm
These guys are really cute — all puffed up to stay warm. Swallows always look so slim and sleek in the summertime, when they speed around after insects.
8 April 2007 at 12:36 am
Wow! is all I can say. I’m glad you know those are fabulous photos! (I bet you never dare leave your camera at home). What kind of camera are you using? You’ve obviously mastered it, whatever it is. Thanks for posting those!
8 April 2007 at 10:58 am
Thanks 9h225!! Thanks for talking me into posting this first!
Lost Roses – thanks and I now always have a Sony Cybershot close when I don’t have the Nikon on me! I am using the Nikon D70s with a 400mm lens and the Sony for macro’s!
9 April 2007 at 12:14 pm
Love the lineup of Swallows, but brrrr! Recent Tree Swallows here are nice ‘n sleek
10 April 2007 at 12:55 am
What fabulous photos! I love the bird shots. Thanks for sharing the camera gear. I love my Nikon D70, and am wishing for some more lenses.
I would like to write you up on my blog and refer people to you. Great site!
10 April 2007 at 8:53 am
@ Adam – thanks and they are great birds to photograph! I was very happy with the photo for sure!
@ Mia’s Grandma – Woud love to have you link me and I also love my D70s! I really do need to do some kind of blog post on my equipment!
10 April 2007 at 4:26 pm
Lots of fantastic shots – but that crop of the group is awesome. Braver man than I being out in that cold, though.
12 April 2007 at 9:41 pm
Incredible pictures Mon@rch!