In my post yesterday I mentioned that three of the Eastern Bluebird chicks left their nest box in my friend Steve’s yard. Today I am sharing two photos of them.
Fledgling Eastern Bluebird on its first day out of the nest – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/100, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I saw this little one fly out of the nest box, land on the ground briefly, then eventually fly over to a pine tree and land in it. I took my tripod and camera over to where the fledgling clung to the bark of the tree trunk to photograph the newly fledged Eastern Bluebird chick.
Apparently, while I was doing that, the second chick left the nest and fledged. I missed the second chick leaving the nest altogether, but I believe it was worth it to get the photo above.
Baby Eastern Bluebird about to leave the nest box – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/250, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The third and final chick took its own sweet time leaving the only home it had ever known. Just shortly before 4 p.m., the clouds rolled in, which gave me even lighting conditions. I cranked up my ISO and waited. The young bluebird kept poking its head out of the nest box, so I knew it shouldn’t be long before it too took flight.
Soon after this image was taken, the small bluebird pushed out of the nest box and took flight. The photo I took of it leaving was a blurry mess, but I was thrilled to watch this bluebird fledgling head into the world.
I’d forgotten how amazing it is to watch baby Eastern Bluebirds leave their nest boxes. To date, it has been twenty-three years since I left Virginia and my bluebirds that inhabited my yard and garden there.
Life is good. It is even more delightful with birds in my viewfinder.
Mia
P.S., sorry for the extra post email yesterday, I was scheduling this post for today and it was accidentally published yesterday evening which I quickly reset for today.
Click here to see more of my Eastern Bluebird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Will the babies not practice flying do they just leave
We have a bird house with babies about to fledge. We have been watching daily hoping to one day, see them fly. Their parents are ever aware of their duties in feeding them and cleaning the nest.
My Dad started building Blue Bird nesting boxes, in the 1980 and I have 8 Nest Box, 1 of which my Dad made, they fledged last week along with the Carolina Chicadees.
We have several pairs of the bluebirds here in central Louisiana
Wonderful experience, thanks for sharing with us!
Bluebirds are so beautiful and I’m glad you were able to capture the fledgling. A special moment
Beautiful. What a privilege to see.