Mr. Mom

I’ve spent years photographing birds, and I feel like an idiot. It never registered with me that mama lays the eggs, but dad does the child rearing! Mama might be off building a new nest for her next batch of eggs, while dad takes over with the current brood. He sits on the eggs, keeping them warm and finishes the process of bringing new life into the world. Once the little ones have arrived, dad shoulders the responsibility of finding and delivering food.

It’s not the same with every species. Some birds trade off, mom keeps the eggs warm for a time, then dad takes over, they raise their brood together. As always, I have a LOT to learn.

A bluebird dad gets up close and personal with junior. I have no idea what this discussion was about, but I’m pretty sure junior didn’t borrow the car and bring it back on empty.

I can’t help wondering how my son would react if his father stood on his back and force fed him a peanut.

This goldfinch father seems to have been doing a good job of providing food for baby, it seems like it’s bigger than dad! I admire dad a lot… it has to be hard to concentrate on the job at hand with someone standing on your tail feathers.

Red Headed Woodpecker

This gorgeous bird is a somewhat rare sight for me and so every visit is a thrill. Apparently this type of bird used to be common, but the story has, sadly, changed. Normally they eat insects, but I think the peanut chips I put on a feeder tray every now and again, entices them in for a visit.
Getting ready to fly away with a treasured peanut.

The Imposter

Hmmm, I wonder if this is grape jelly or purple soup?
Did I hear something down there?
Don’t mind me, I’m the jelly inspector, just here to do a taste test to make sure yours is edible.
Who do you think you’re fooling? If you’re an inspector you’d be wearing a name tag..you’d have a badge you could show me, get back!
LET GO OF MY PERCH! I’M GOING TO NIP YOUR LEG, DON’T THINK FOR ONE MINUTE THAT I WON’T!

I have to quit listening to these bird conversations, I get so stressed!