The ugly birds that grew up

This is the second batch of swallows. The first batch was back in May. Mom and Dad swallow sure have been busy.

They are so ugly, that they are cute. That fuzzy hair on the top. The wrinkly neck. Big oversize mouth for their little bodies. All wanting mom to come take care of them. A mother's job is never done.

I think this time, these little birds are learning Spanish. Want to know how I know? Because here they were saying, "Ai, Ai, Ai, Ai"

Here, he's got some back up while he holds that note. He's actually rolling the tongue to make that rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr sound. I think I even heard some Mariachi music in the background.

The sad look on that one means that his rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr's got mixed up with a bug that mom came and dropped in his mouth. The other ones are still holding their notes.

But see, then in a couple of weeks they grow up to be pretty little birds. I think they are used to me with my camera. They don't even budge. They just sit there and think that here comes the weird lady.

All six of them have flown the coop. I tell them that I'm their Aunt. All they say is "Eres loca"

(you're crazy)

The new family

Last year, we had a family of cliff swallows that made a home on our window sill on the back porch. But one home was not enough for the family, so they made another home an the other side of the window. The mom sleeps in one nest and the dad in the other. We enjoyed watching them make this home. The meticulous way they would work on their house and wouldn't stop until it was done.

When winter came, they went back away. They returned this spring and we watched as the mama sat in the nest, day after day. We waited for little heads to pop up and today, we saw them.

I tried to take pictures outside on the back porch, but the mama and her entourage wouldn't let me. So I had to take pictures from inside my house. They are a little dark, but you can still see the birds.

The mama feeding her babies. Don't leave mama, we're still hungry.
La, la,la, la la

Mama, feed me next.

I think she knows we're watching. Good job mama, just keep doing your job.

Maaaaammmmaaaaaa!!! Maaaaammmaaaaa!!

I heard you the first time. I'm trying to find food for you as fast as I can. Now chill out!

But we're hungry!! Please hurry back. Could you please bring us back a supreme pizza?

I wonder how long I can sit here and stare into the wide open space before they demand more from me.