While they are not the classic harbingers of spring that they are in the Northern Hemisphere, the "welcome" in the name relates to their arrival in greater numbers at the end of winter. I am not surprised if one flashes past in winter, seeking out late flying insects, but they are more common in summer. Many of the birds from southern Australia, and especially Tasmania head north, in the winter and it is these that are the welcome returnees of spring.
At first glance they do look similar to the Swallow of much of Europe - technically The Barn Swallow - but they lack the dark band that splits the red neck from the pale chest.
I found this group of young birds waiting in anticipation for the return of there parents last weekend - and I thought it was another chance to use the "panorama" format of picture. The final image shows a nest that I found in the covered parking of our favourite pizza place! (And yes, I did pop back home for the camera!)
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| waiting |
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| waiting |
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| arrival |
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| departure |
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| pizza chicks |
Over to you for the next part!
Click on the link and off you go! Enjoy, visit, recommend and spread the news that is WBW far and wide.
52 comments:
they are really cute. that last shot made me smile. :)
thanks for hosting, stewart.
Pretty little birds!
What a quaint name for a bird which welcomes spring for us in the Southern Hemisphere. We, too, are noticing many swallows. Grant says they're starting to nest under the eaves of his office. Your photos are stunningly clear and colorful, Stewart. I will link my paler photographed post tomorrow (Wed, East African time) Have a great day. Jo
That's a great name and that last shot is awesome. Pizza indeed:) Just learned something new again today. Thanks for sharing your work. They do look so much like our Barn Swallows.
Een heerlijke blog wat een heerlijke vogeltjes maar het nestje spant de kroon.
Beautiful shots, so clear! And how cute are they all in their nest? Love it!
They are very similar to our Swallows. really great pictures. From Findlay
I love Swallow babies ... and yes your babies do look like our Barn Swallow babies. I agree with the other comments that the name is as precious as the birds themselves. I'm with you ... I would have gone home for my camera as well:)
Andrea @ From The Sol
The Welcome Swallows do remind me of barn swallows. They do mean spring and summer here near Toronto, for sure.
I love swallows..they move fast and are hard to get good shots of...love the pizza!cheers.
Beautiful shots.
so cute! that always happens when you didn't take the camera.
Great photos of lovely little birds - but oh! I have experienced the mess they make when they decide to nest on your house!
Hi Stewart. Lovely little bird especially the last shot.
they're a delightful little bird; you got some beaut snaps of them Stewart.
Beautiful shots- that last one was a bit messy!!
They do look as if they are sitting there carrying on some conversation while they wait.
What a wonderful capture of the 'pizza chicks.'
Love the nest Stewart!!
I love these birds!
Beautiful are your birds photos!
Greetings, RW & SK
So cute these little birds!
Stewart, the swallows are a cute sign of spring. They are one of my favorite birds here. Thanks for hosting and have a great week!
So beautiful! They look like a big happy family.
They are sweet, patiently waiting for dinner there. I like swallows, but as last picture shows, would just as soon not have them nesting in my "barn."
Those little Swallows have such sweet faces!
These are great shots! Swallows are one of my favorites. The best time to photograph them around here is in spring and early summer.
Those reeds are a proper playground with all the youngsters sat there.... last image was well worth dashing home for
Such beautiful little birds . Glad you were able to get your camera and capture them Stewart :)
I really like the format. Great shots, love the babies!
Hi Stewart...what a group of cuties, I love these birds!!
The last one is adorable, well minus the all the poop!! : )
Grace
Wonderful little birds, especially the chicks at the pizza parlor! I'm enjoying reading your mentions of spring, as we head towards winter here. Keep 'em coming!
Pretty swallows. Cute little faces peeking out of the nest.
Pizza chicks--that cracks me up!! I like the barn swallows and the other ones too. fun to watch them swooping down and across our pond after bugs. MB
Nice pics Stewart, I can't waite to see the Swallows back with us again.
All the best Gordon,
Cute little swallows!
They do look very similar to barn swallows. Interesting. Cool flight photos. Thank you for hosting the meme! Oh, cute chicks, too. :)
Great captures, Stewart. I photographed some last week too. I must post them up soon.
Lovely little family :) Very pretty birds!
I love to see those birds darting around in the Summer. Pretty photos.
Great captures. Especially liked the full nest. I really enjoy my barn swallows in the summer.
What great shots of those youngsters all lined up!
You really got lucky on bird wednesday. The Swallows are really a nice bird.
Along with Cedar Waxwings, Swallows top the list of my favorites of small birds. Your images show them as I enjoy them, out doing their thing. I met someone with a nest beneath her garage this past season, but they traveled, we traveled, and I missed the experience, but there is always next season~
Love those...especially the nest!
Beautiful pictures of the swallows Stewart.
Here they are all left to the south.
Greetings Irma
Bom dia!!!
Amei essa blogagem coletiva, muito lindo todos os pássaros, parabéns pela iniciativa!!!
Feliz e Abençoado Dia!!!
Bjokas...da Bia!!!
Such adorable swallows! I really like these birds!
Awww... Swallows are one of my favorites! Love the nest photo!!
Every Spring i'm waiting for the Swallows to arrive in my country!!!They look the same with our's!!Wonderful pictures Stewart!!
Dimi...
Great photos!
This looks so great! It is so good to see you posting again! Ok so I'm guessing you mean the next post????? I'm sooooo excited for that one!!!
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It was positively intriguing for me to peruse that article. Thanx for it.
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