Update...

I've posted several pictures below from my new camera..I'm still getting used to it so there may be more random shots to come...

Blue Bunting

Finch

Pic from my new camera...

View of the harbor from my hotel deck with the ferry boat in the distance..

...ferry dock

another harbor pic...

Correction

Ok..the "Martins" I referred to below are actually Chimney Swifts...it only took my dad just a few seconds to figure this out after I described the size of the birds and nesting style...I've also since learned they lay eggs more than once per season..after the kids below left, I took down the nest and was happy to have a clean front door / entry way...one day later..another nest was under construction..so, we'll see if this will be the last nest this year.  Determined looking birds uh?

Getting bigger....

Wow...a day later and clearly more feathers...

The Martin Kids

So, here are the kids...four total..two fell out, one was dead and the other was struggling on the ground so I put it back...it's a pretty crowded nest...Mom was back sitting on the edge last night...

Mr. and Mrs. Martin

This couple (assuming they’re the same duo) has insisted on building their family just outside my front door for the last three years.  Tearing down the nest does no good, they just build it right back.  Martins tend to build nests in open areas such as in Martin houses (the tall bird houses and poles you see in some yards) so that they can easily see predators such as hawks.  The male does most of the nest building at first after which the female comes in and puts on the final touches.  Martins get used to people pretty quickly; I can walk out my front door and they’ll just sit and stare at me.   The problem is, they leave bird poop below which means I’m periodically cleaning it up.  Oh well, it’s still cool to have Martin family visit each year.

Update...

Update:  Thanks to everyone for asking about updates to my blog.  For the moment, my only access to the Internet is via my smart phone at home and my computer at work.  Unfortunately, work has been crazy busy so I'm less likely to post updates from there; I can update from my smart phone but preferred placement of pictures and text can be tricky.  So, hopefully at some point I'll pick up an tablet so I can more easily post updates when I'm home.  In the meantime, I'll try to find time at work; I definitely have more stuff to put up so stay tuned.

Mark