Barn Swallow, Bernheim Arboretum

Feeding time at the Pavilion at Bernheim found the parents busy with their younguns when I visited recently. The Pavilion is an octagon shaped building and the oddity was only the west side of the building had Barn Swallow nests with babies, while on the east side all of the nests were empty.

The extra long narrow wings of the Barn Swallows amaze me every time I see them. Obviously, these aerodynamic wings help the Swallows swoop in and out from under the eaves of the Pavilion checking in on the babies. The weather this week in the Ohio River Valley has been 'not the usual July heat wave' that we normally have this time of year. We have had low humidity and the temps have stayed in the 70's and 80's. It has been a fantastic reprieve. This weekend the heat and humidity will be creeping back in. I hope your weather finds you fair wherever you may be. Fortunately, no hurricanes or typhoons are in the news for this weekend, so hopefully things will be a little calmer around the globe. Have a great weekend. I'll be back soon. ENJOY!

Barn Swallow Fledgling

I preface this post by saying HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY and thank you to all of the soldiers, male and female, who have served or are serving in our Armed Forces and those that have passed. Thank you so much for your service.

Yesterday I snapped this image of a Barn Swallow baby having left its nest, yet rather reluctant to fly away. He stood on the sidewalk at the Pavilion at Bernheim calling out, but his mother wasn't responding. I guess it's time to vacate little guy. Hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. While the forecast called for rain this weekend, we've had bright blue skies, lots of sunshine and cool breezes. It's been a near perfect weekend. ENJOY!

Hungry Fledglings

It's feeding time at the Pavilion at Bernheim and the Barn Swallow fledglings, who haven't flown the nest, are ravenous. I spent a mere few minutes taking these images yesterday, before getting back in the car out of the heat. Check out the frown on the top left and bottom right fledgling. He's almost comical. Another heat advisory today. We did get 'some' relief yesterday, as storms came through late afternoon. However, there were major lightning strikes which ignited several house fires and an apartment building in town. Aside from that, I welcomed the rain. ENJOY!

PHOTOGRAPHER'S NOTE: I happened to take a short drive to Bardstown yesterday to visit several shops I discovered on a previous trip. While there, I noticed one of Louisville's television crews busily shooting video. Later, when I turned on the news, I learned Bardstown was named America's 'most beautiful' small town. Congrats Bardstown, Kentucky!

Barn Swallow

I photographed this cute little Barn Swallow standing guard over his nest situated under the eaves at the Pavilion earlier this Spring at Bernheim. Just to update you, the heat indices today is 100 while the temp is 91, and if this isn't bad enough, yesterday was an Ozone Action day. I took a hiatus from work this week as I needed the down time. I know, 'could I have picked a warmer time of year to do that'.

In lieu of a lengthy vacation, I chose to take on a redecorating project this Spring, i.e. my master bedroom and bath. I can now say I'm the proud owner of a new bedroom suit outfitted with new bed linens. I opted to save some money and paint the rooms myself even though I had sworn off painting after I finished my home office last year. Currently I'm on the hunt for accessories for both rooms along with any decor ideas I can conjur up. Stay cool out there. It's a hot one this week. ENJOY!

Barn Swallow

Surveying the situation, you'll find the parental Barn Swallows, at the Pavilion at Bernheim, oftentimes perched atop the roof. I've been meaning to get back to Bernheim to photograph the fledglings learning to take wing, but I'm seriously afraid I might have missed that window of opportunity. There's rain moving in today so I guess today is out for a quick trip. Happy Father's Day to all of you Dads out there today. ENJOY!

Barn Swallow

It is very difficult to get a good photograph of a Barn Swallow as they are moving targets unless they're in a nest or up very high. Their cobalt blue backs, tan chests and brown necks, not to mention their long swooping tail feathers are unmistakable. Even more noticeable has to be the way they flit and swoop through the air as though they're teasing you. The Barn Swallows are back at the Pavilion at Bernheim next to Lake Nevin. They're nesting and laying their eggs for new babies to come. This particular Swallow was sitting on top of the porch rafters keeping watch on me. I cropped this image, gave it a little texture or two and then softened it, in hopes of bringing out the cobalt blues and tans. When the sun shines just right on their feathers you can see their color more distinctly, if they're sitting still that is. ENJOY!

Barn Swallows

Not the best photographs, but here are several photos of the barn swallows which had made many a nest under the overhang of the barn at Bernheim. There must have been about six or seven nests. It appeared that mom and pop were very busy feeding the kiddos. These little birds are so cute in their deep blue feathers and their brown breast. They almost look like they're wearing tuxedos. They flit around so fast. I'm guessing they can do that because they're so small. Nonetheless, they were fun to watch. Enjoy!