Barn Swallow Series
The Swallow incident was quite a remarkable experience; watching another species so carefully care for their young, and the exuberance of the little ones. See the whole Barn Swallow Series here.
Critter Alert
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)
Spring in the Rocky Mountains brings 1,000s of hummingbirds in search of food on their way north for the summer. They are a gregarious and territorial bird, that is not shy around humans. This one kept coming back for more and more. This is a female Broad-tailed and she looks as if she’s almost posing.
Location
Stagecoach State Park, Colorado
Related Links
Hummingbirds.net
Colorado Birding
Barn Swallows in Transition
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
I captured these common Barn Swallows one day by chance. For some reason, mama had put her babies onto the deck railing and was flying off and bringing food back to them. I got close and waited until mama came flying back in, when the babies all opened their mouths anticipating more food. An hour later, they were gone.
This picture was actually taken in Massachusetts, so it’s not part of the American West, but it’s too good a picture not to share.
Location:South Dartmouth, Massachusetts Related links:
Mass Audubon Putnam Murdock
Nature of the American West 
