Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) photos by Larry Jordan
About a week ago I began seeing Violet-green Swallows (Tachycineta thalassina) flying overhead. The year before last, I was fortunate to have Violet-green Swallows nesting in one of my birdhouses but they also nested in this same oak tree last year.
I noticed the female (above) and male (below) flying around and perching near this oak that has several good cavity nesting holes.
This one oak tree has two very popular cavity entrances, one on the East side of the tree and one on the West side. The photographs taken above were snapped a couple of hours before sunset when I first spotted the swallows about a week ago.
I decided this past Sunday to check out the tree in the early morning light having seen some of the swallows approaching an entrance on the East side of the tree.
Not only was I lucky enough to see a pair of Violet-green Swallows enter the tree cavity several times, I saw them carrying nesting material into the cavity entrance as well.
Nest building activity for many species occurs primarily in the morning so my experience has been that this is the best time of day to observe this behavior, plus the light is best for photographing the bird’s activities in the morning.
From the back, this bronze-headed swallow at the cavity entrance looks like the female…
as she disappears into the tree cavity.
I shot some video of the pair as they checked out the nest cavity and perched near the entrance. I hope you enjoy it!
I know you will enjoy seeing the other bird photos at World Bird Wednesday!
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Amazing photography!
Vita Stunder´s last post ..Trana i kvällsljus
very handsome birds. what a great nest site.
TexWisGirl´s last post ..If Polly was a crow, she’d want a cracker…
What gorgeous birds! Fantastic series.
Mama Zen´s last post ..D-Day: Another Vacation Question
Very good post!!!
Modesto Viegas (Portugal)´s last post ..Salamandra-de-costelas-salientes
Wonderfully done Larry! What a pleasure to see these swallows working with a natural nesting site. That is one cool looking knot hole too!
Nice!
Happy World Bird Wednesday!
What lovely neighbors you have Larry! Beautiful pictures.
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Great series on the Swallow!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
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Such beauties! I loved the house hunting video too!!
nature rambles´s last post ..Birds at Wagah
Beautiful birds to see Larry your images are fantastic… many thanks for sharing as I don’t have them over here.
Andrew´s last post ..Magpies…………………………………………………………… on a lovely peaceful day
A great series of photos. It’s very good that you have a nest in a place that lets you see and photograph the birds so well.
Mick´s last post ..White-faced Heron
Larry what a wonderful Swallow species this is, and not one that I have come across before – even as part of my armchair birding.
Dave´s last post ..Venezuela – Part 5 Cerro Montalban & Mt San Isidro
Larry, they are beautiful birds. It is cool to have them nesting in your yard. I was lucky to see them around Yellowstone one year. Great post and I loved the photos.
Eileen´s last post ..Saffron Finch a Curacao Bird
They certainly are beautiful, and so graceful in flight. I had a pair nesting in a box in my front yard in New Mexico. They fought off Western Bluebirds and an Ash-throated Flycatcher to keep the prize.
Wow, how awesome to have these beautiful swallows nesting in your yard!
Mia McPherson´s last post ..Semipalmated Plover – How to get Sandy Pants
Lovely birds!!!Thanks for sharing.
Shantana
Incredibly beautiful pictures you show.
Wishing you a good day.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk
Hanne Bente´s last post ..Egern
A lovely photo-story of these handsome birds setting up house.
I look forward to their continued story.
Arija´s last post ..WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY – A Mixed Bag
How exciting that will be to watch the nest activity!
Pat´s last post ..Where the Wild Grapes Grow
Cute little birds! That green is beautiful.
Liz´s last post ..World Bird Wednesday:Black Swan family
Larry, Seeing those beautiful Swallows nesting in a natural tree cavity is truly special. Thanks for sharing them with us!
Jean´s last post ..My Carolina Wren’s Nest
Great post, Larry! I love the nest material photos and the one coming out of the cavity. So much fun to watch birds house hunt
Great photos!
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