HAPPY

If the sight of these beautiful, iridescent blue-green lil' DARTS, zooming about doesn't make you smile ... well, I'm going to say you need a cup of coffee or something!  Ah ... our Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are HOME!!!!  Yeah!!! I love these birds!  They just make you smile and knowing that they are one of our most proficient insect eaters ... we are very happy to welcome them home!

Bird Houses

The boys have been waiting very patiently since Christmas to put some very special gifts they received from their "Grandma and Grandpa" in to use!  Yes, their very own bird houses for their very own birds!!!  These special bird houses are for Tree Swallows and their Grandma and Grandpa adorned them with not only special stained-glass Tree Swallows but a name plate for each of the boys ... so they know which bird house belongs to who!!!  Tree Swallows eat LOTS of mosquitoes, so we love having bird houses for them!  The kids are looking forward to seeing birds in their new homes "Grandma and Grandpa!"  

As the boys finished hanging the last bird house, the snow flakes began to fall ... hopefully Old Man Winter FINALLY gets this out of his system!  Although, tis' springtime on the prairies ... and we know snow and the May long weekend seem to go hand in hand ... Hmm ... 

Bye-bye ...

Out for a late evening walk with the kids and dogs, we bid farewell to the remaining hours of July.  Hmm ... where did it go?  We also noticed the Tree Swallows that were 'flocking' together last week appear to be gone.  With the cool weather we've had lately I can't blame them for leaving a bit early.  They usually stay till August but it would appear the warm south is calling them. *SIGH*  Bye-bye sweet July ...

Home Sweet Home!

Their house is faded and needing a bit of TLC but this pair of Tree Swallows are never deterred and always make this 'Home Sweet Home!  

You gotta ❤ Tree Swallows! 

Tree Swallows ...

It was cool, breezy and overcast at times today but Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) always warm the heart!  I adore these lil' ones!  Not only colourful, they are among our most proficient insect eaters!  These cheery wee ones eat a lot of mosquitoes!!!  It sounds like we are going to enjoy a hot weekend ... but it's going to be a busy one!  Have a good one everyone!

Nobody Is Home

Well, our very weathered bird house out at the end of our lane, is certainly empty these days.  It's resident Tree Swallows left a few months ago and likely a good thing since 'Winter' has certainly creeped in before 'Fall' really had a chance to take hold, let alone leave!  Alberta has been hit with 'Old Man Winter' once again and judging by the snow flying outside my window tonight and listening to the wind, perhaps I should have followed the Tree Swallows south!  

Tree Swallow Return

Tachycineta bicolor

Our Tree Swallows returned back on Sunday and I love it!  Yes, as you can see, I'm kind of a bird geek!  What can I say, winter is quiet when most of your birds head south for the winter, so it's nice to hear and see their return.  Tree Swallows are one of my favourites to return, as they are among the most proficient insect eaters we have!!! Anything that consumes 'bugs' ... especially mosquitoes, will always have a summer home around here!  On their return, there are usually a few 'lover's quarrels' and 'territorial tiffs' that are rather entertaining to watch and since there are a few nesting boxes out at the end of the lane way, where the kids catch the school bus, we usually get a front row seat!  Welcome home lil' Tree Swallows!

Against the Wind!

And so the wind blows ... and it blows and it blows!  If we think its a struggle to stand in the wind these days ... have a chat with this lil' Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).  I watched her and her mate the day before being tossed in the air like rag dolls and today was not much better!  However, instead of being tossed in the air, she was just bracing herself on top of the fencepost awaiting her mates return.  It was a bit of a struggle for the lad but eventually Mr. Tree Swallow made it back to their nest and the two of them put on a united front and stood strong ... beaks into the wind!!!