At the end of March,
a Mountain Bluebird kept flitting about the house as if
challenging his reflection in the windows.
Since that time,
he has found a mate and set up housekeeping atop one of the
timbers at the West end of the house.
Now he is the proud father of 5 chicks.
The nest location is under the roof between rafters,
and seems uncharacteristic of the usual type of cavity they
prefer.
The painters have applied finish all around the nest,
which does not appear to have disturbed the parents or the
chicks.
The parents were a little worried when Gary took the picture
at left,
but quickly appeared with food once he was done.
We hope the chicks will leave the nest in 2-3 weeks.
Next year,
we will put out
nesting boxes
to discourage them from using the timbers.
