Every year about his time the Violet-green Swallows move into our yard. They are such beautiful little birds and they seem to be very comfortable with people, often swooping to within a foot or two if I am outside in the morning. They usually hang around for at least a month but I think we may see them for a little longer this year.
Our first project after buying our land almost 25 years ago was to build the bunkhouse. Shortly after we finished construction I bought a half dozen inexpensive bird houses and spent hours painting each one in a unique and colorful way. We stuck them up under the bunkhouse veranda, partly as decoration but also with the hopes that bluebirds might find and make use of them each spring. In the two decades plus since I don't think I have ever seen a bluebird took twice at these little cottages although they occupy a number of other houses in the vicinity.
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| I'm surprised these little houses have kept any color after two decades in the sun. |
Then this year, for whatever reason, the Violet-green swallows decided they would take up residence. What a treat it has been to watch them bringing in hay each morning and guarding the houses against the bluebirds which now seem to have decided that even though they don't want the homes, no one else should be allowed to live there!
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| This pose shows the reason for the name. The violet is not always visible. |
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| Bringing in a piece of straw bigger than she is! |
