Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Cliff Swallows including recently fledged
More Cliff Swallows In Flight
Ditto
Ditto
Adult and Juvenile Cliff Swallows
Ditto
06-18 and 06-19-18
Last month when we visited Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, my mind was made up that this was going to be the year that Cliff Swallows would be part of my photo lineup.
Swallows are some of the most challenging to photograph, especially the Cliff Swallows, as they rarely are at rest. With this being the end of fledglings, it was the most logical time to make this attempt and succeed.
It still was not terribly easy, but the bonus was getting shots of the fledglings, too.
You may have heard that swallow feet are very tiny and rudimentary, which is true in the cases of some of them. For those that don't perch on their feet much, muscles will atrophy and lose their strength.
Take as close a look at the feet of these birds as possible, and you'll noticed that they appear to be quite small for their size. You'll notice the young ones clinging to the wall of the bridge in order to keep purchase. That could be the most workout that those little feet will get.
Soon, I will choose a grouping of photos to include all the swallows in my photo gallery so that you might observe some of this family of birds, the Hirundinidae.
I still have yet to photograph the Bank and Cave Swallows, so wish me luck. It just might happen eventually and when it does, you'll be the first to know
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