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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

A Sweet Little Nest

David and I are still hard at work on the barn.  We are about 3/4 of the way through our project.  We're completely done with Boomer and Ben's former stalls.  We power washed everything, stained the wood in the stalls, and sanded and repainted the runs.  We moved Reggie and Paj to the finished stalls, and now we're about halfway done with their stalls and runs.

In the midst of all this cleanup, I removed a sweet little nest from a ledge in the barn.  We actually had two nests in the barn, but the one on the trusses is occupied.  It's where the barn swallows are raising their third set of babies this year.  I don't know whether it's the same pair or not, but regardless, it's baby bunch number three.  Of course we are being careful not to disturb them.

The other nest has been vacant since late spring.


The fuzzy material is alpaca fiber from the neighbor's alpacas.
The thread-like fibers are horse hairs from Clydesdale feathers.

The builder of this cozy little nest was a Say's Phoebe.


Wikipedia will tell you that it's a "drab, chunky" bird.
Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
To me, it's a pretty little thing,
a fierce flycatcher, and most welcome.

Wikipedia will also tell you that its habitat is
"dry, desolate and arid landscapes". 
Hmph.
 
 

10 comments:

KateRose said...

That nest is neat! Much different than the ones I've seen.

Fundy Blue said...

Drab and chunky? Some people have no poetry in their souls! Ditto for the landscape description ~ must be an urban dweller. It sounds like you're making lots of progress on the barn. Any word from Boomer and Ben? And how's Paj's foot? Have a good one!

jenj said...

Oh my, all that cleaning and tidying of the barn... I feel like a slacker! If you'd like to come south for a while to work on another barn... ;)

And that nest is just perfect! It amazes me how they make them so neatly, weaving things so carefully and tightly. I hope you have a place to keep such a treasure!

Wolfie said...

You have been busy!!

That nest is a thing of beauty.... always amazes me how birds get it so right all the time...

sonia a. mascaro said...

You and David have been very busy and I think it is good!

Love the nest and the Say's Phoebe is just lovely!

Lori Skoog said...

Very sweet. And it looks so soft!

Jim said...

What a beautiful nest! Terry, isn't it downright amazing, when one thinks about it, that these birds can construct such a strong and versatile structure for their young? Well I guess it isn't really because they have been doing it for millennia.
I bet Paj and Reggie are liking their new 'digs'!! A lot of work!!

Anonymous said...

Nice shots and blog, Terry! -- Joe

Em Parkinson said...

Makes me want to curl up inside it and snooze!

Kay G. said...

I can't tell you how many times I have read descriptions of birds that say they are "dull in color" and "drab". Makes me wonder if I should give them new glasses!