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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| 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.
they are really cute. that last shot made me smile. :)
ReplyDeletethanks for hosting, stewart.
Pretty little birds!
ReplyDeleteWhat 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
ReplyDeleteThat'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.
ReplyDeleteEen heerlijke blog wat een heerlijke vogeltjes maar het nestje spant de kroon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, so clear! And how cute are they all in their nest? Love it!
ReplyDeleteThey are very similar to our Swallows. really great pictures. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteI 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:)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
The Welcome Swallows do remind me of barn swallows. They do mean spring and summer here near Toronto, for sure.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteso cute! that always happens when you didn't take the camera.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of lovely little birds - but oh! I have experienced the mess they make when they decide to nest on your house!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart. Lovely little bird especially the last shot.
ReplyDeletethey're a delightful little bird; you got some beaut snaps of them Stewart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots- that last one was a bit messy!!
ReplyDeleteThey do look as if they are sitting there carrying on some conversation while they wait.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful capture of the 'pizza chicks.'
Love the nest Stewart!!
ReplyDeleteI love these birds!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful are your birds photos!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, RW & SK
So cute these little birds!
ReplyDeleteStewart, the swallows are a cute sign of spring. They are one of my favorite birds here. Thanks for hosting and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! They look like a big happy family.
ReplyDeleteThey 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."
ReplyDeleteThose little Swallows have such sweet faces!
ReplyDeleteThese are great shots! Swallows are one of my favorites. The best time to photograph them around here is in spring and early summer.
ReplyDeleteThose reeds are a proper playground with all the youngsters sat there.... last image was well worth dashing home for
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful little birds . Glad you were able to get your camera and capture them Stewart :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the format. Great shots, love the babies!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart...what a group of cuties, I love these birds!!
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeletePretty swallows. Cute little faces peeking out of the nest.
ReplyDeletePizza 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
ReplyDeleteNice pics Stewart, I can't waite to see the Swallows back with us again.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Gordon,
Cute little swallows!
ReplyDeleteThey do look very similar to barn swallows. Interesting. Cool flight photos. Thank you for hosting the meme! Oh, cute chicks, too. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat captures, Stewart. I photographed some last week too. I must post them up soon.
ReplyDeleteLovely little family :) Very pretty birds!
ReplyDeleteI love to see those birds darting around in the Summer. Pretty photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat captures. Especially liked the full nest. I really enjoy my barn swallows in the summer.
ReplyDeleteWhat great shots of those youngsters all lined up!
ReplyDeleteYou really got lucky on bird wednesday. The Swallows are really a nice bird.
ReplyDeleteAlong 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~
ReplyDeleteLove those...especially the nest!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the swallows Stewart.
ReplyDeleteHere they are all left to the south.
Greetings Irma
Bom dia!!!
ReplyDeleteAmei 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!
ReplyDeleteAwww... Swallows are one of my favorites! Love the nest photo!!
ReplyDeleteEvery Spring i'm waiting for the Swallows to arrive in my country!!!They look the same with our's!!Wonderful pictures Stewart!!
ReplyDeleteDimi...
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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