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I agree!

You’re welcome, Christina. It’s nice to know that you’re out there watching and enjoying.

Well, you’ve had way more opportunity to see them than I have. Lucky you!

What a memorable sight that was! I'm sure you'll never forget it. I've never had a chance to observe their young or even see these hawks hurtling through woods. We do have woods, but I've only seen the Cooper's in our yard, haunting the bird feeders. Thanks for telling me about your experience.

I've read that Barn Swallows will fly as high as 1,000 feet, but they prefer to stay low. Purple Martins go very high--like, 5,000 feet!

Oh, trust me! I know how tricky they all are to photograph and film. I film them at their nests most of the time, perhaps without the nest in the picture. That way, I know where they will be, and they haven't built up enough speed to throw the focus off too much. You might notice that I have more Purple Martin footage in this video than footage of other swallows, and that's because I also find them the easiest to get crisp footage of. Anyway, thank for praising the footage I got.

I can see by your description " in flight against yellow dun red sky twist & turns to eat in mid air " that you appreciate these wonderful birds, Kirsten.

Swallows are a challenge to film or photograph because they're not only fast, they're erratic. So believe me when I say I know what you mean. If those are Cliff Swallows you're seeing, you might be able to see the buff patch just above their tails. That'd be your best chance at IDing them. Or you might see them go for their nests. They build mud nests under overhangs. Of course so do Barn Swallows. And I'm betting you have no chance to get down into the gorge and look up at the kind of nests they go to. Bottom line, I guess, is enjoy them, whatever they are.

That was a sweet description of fond memories, and I enjoyed reading it. You have impressive powers of description: "flight that looked both frantic but perfectly calm". That's more than accurate; it's a fine observation. So if anybody would appreciate the two movies I've done about Barn Swallows, it would be you. One is about them nesting--czcams.com/video/HSAsrIcVE1g/video.htmlsi=PCr_YCW4jYTQCWI9--and the other is about their agile flight--czcams.com/video/LBWuliAxypY/video.htmlsi=FMi1sCKg6jc5_JpC

Wait, Lina. Are you saying that you're commenting BEFORE watching the movie? That might be a first in my experience. But whatever, I'm happy to welcome you to my channel. I have videos on just about any common bird you'd like to learn about, so I hope you'll browse. Swallows are among my favorites. I just can't get enough of these agile birds.

​@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME oops!😳I should have said first time here commenting! I watched one previous video (and subcribed) on how female cardinals choose their mate. Their song is beautiful.🎵 😍 I will be catching up in the big screen 📺☺️

@@linak7155 A-h-h. Thanks for the clarification, Lina. And yes, the big screen is how you ought to watch these swallows. Even then, they'll challenge your eyeballs to keep up.

My pleasure, Geraldine, and thanks for commenting.

Glad to hear you liked it, coyote. Thanks for commenting.

You're welcome, Wendy. And as always, it's good to hear from you. I had a lotta fun putting this one together.

Oh yes, they're some of my favorites too. This makes three films I've done about them out of the last dozen.

Since you mentioned it, I googled it and gave it a quick read. It's a pleasure to hear from another admirer of these birds. And since you mentioned the essay, I'll throw a recommendation back to you: "Barn Swallows in Flight" czcams.com/video/LBWuliAxypY/video.htmlsi=11PNhz1zQ7IRU763

Thanks. Really, though, it's not so much that I have a kind heart as that I hate to expend anger on something I can't change.

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME So kind-hearted and wise as well :)

And humble. You forgot humble. And now that I've had to say it, I can no longer claim it. 😉

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME 🤣

@@lennytheleopard It's always nice to trade comments with someone who gets my sense of humor.

Ah. Thank you for your take on it.

Yes, pretty much. They can’t see below themselves, but they can see in a 360° circle around themselves and above.

Yeah, the only time I ever saw those feet close up was the day I had a chance to film when I was visiting Oakland. I hadn't known about their feet, but I was intrigued by them.

Yes, only the Barn Swallows are better--not as noisy and arguably quicker at evasive action. You know, I've done another movie about them, about the fact that they're the most agile of swallows. It's got some fun info about how important their forked tails are. If you'd like to check it out, here's the link: czcams.com/video/LBWuliAxypY/video.htmlsi=NvExDH0GIFIThG0e

Haha.

Yes, very cool! Have any of the nestlings fledged yet? I've also done a movie about the parents feeding the fledglings--oh, and another one about them protecting the nest from predators.

I haven't traveled much--just Costa Rica and Trinidad--and don't consider myself a "real" birder. My husband is one. In fact, he dragged me practically kicking and screaming into this hobby. I didn't want to frustrate myself trying to get footage of those elusive targets. For one thing, I don't even have very good eyesight. He studies all of them and goes out just to look for birds, whatever he can find. And he has a big life list. I don't keep a life list, and if I go out to a wildlife area, I have a target bird or bug in mind. You won't see me in such places without my camera. The real birders here in St. Louis would not consider me one of their number--rightly so. But I am glad my husband nagged me into filming birds. It's been rewarding.

Looks like YT delayed your seeing this one by about four months. I'm glad you persisted. As for your inquiry about me, I'm happy but not well--got a monster cough that's keeping me from sleeping. Thank goodness I have my next movie (due to go up this Friday) basically finished. It's about how swallows fly. I just can't ever get enough of those swallows. What hypnotic birds. And I'm looking forward to hearing from you again after you see it. It and the last one (about swallows having hawk eyes) were tricky to make because if I show those swallows at full speed, nobody knows what they just saw. But if I slow the footage down, it doesn't do justice to their speed. I hope I managed a happy medium. Hope you're happy and well yourself, and thanks for commenting.

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Did they break your subscriptions into segments as well? Do you know the reason for the cough?Hope it goes away soon. Swallows are amazing and you pointed out a couple of reasons that I was not aware of. As always, listen to the teacher...and enjoy the lessons. Your swallow videos displayed the acrobatics beautifully.

@@riverbender9898 I have no idea whether YT broke my subscribers into groups. I wouldn't think so, but its ways are a mystery to me. The cough is from one MEAN virus that hangs on for dear life. It's seriously inconvenient. I'm glad to hear the swallow acrobatics didn't frustrate you. If that one didn't, then the upcoming probably won't either. Always good to hear from you.

I love them too and never tire of filming the little devils. (And by the way, I've got longer films about them. This one is pretty long--at 10 minutes--but it's full of good info: czcams.com/video/1cju_kkF8wg/video.htmlsi=ojoCMIK_KVOLit8X)

Sorry to hear about your problem, Billy. The good news, according to Cornell Lab's Birds of the World, is that the Thrashers probably won't reuse that nest for their second brood. "Occasionally reuses nests built in previous years, rarely nests constructed within same breeding season. In ne. Kansas, 4% of 94 marked old nests were reused and only 1 of those nests reused within same breeding season (Cavitt et al. 1999). Prior to reuse, adults remove and replace all of old nest-lining and often add additional sticks." Cornell Lab says the eggs hatch in 11-14 days." Eggs hatch in 11-14 days. I didn't see I didn't see any mention in Birds of the World of how long it is before the nestlings fledge , but it's probably a couple of weeks. I don't know how much help this info is or how crucial it is to trim around your AC unit. Good luck with it. And feel free to let me know how it turns out.

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I can wait, it's "recommended" that a 4-foot area be cleared around the a/c fan. These birds are funny, they show pretty much no fear of humans. I've sat on the back porch watching them and they'll come within 3-4 feet without a care. Right after I discovered their nest I was seeing them "tag team" for worms, then I wouldn't see them at all for 3-4 days. I'll give them enough time to be sure they're gone. Thanks for the information!!

@@billywrench2610 I'm glad you found the info helpful. When I read your original comment, I thought that I couldn't help because we've never had to bother one of their nests. But surprisingly, Birds of the World did help with the news that they don't usually reuse the first nest. I'm happy to be of use.

Thank you, Christina, for taking the time to tell me how much you enjoy my videos and the information in them. I do love to hear from someone who’s having fun watching them. It’s one of the biggest rewards I have in this hobby.

I loved hearing from you about your Mockers, Liz! Now you gotta check out some of my other mockingbird videos. They show the character of this charming bully we love. (Just search YT for mockingbirds Alwood.) And it's nice to hear that you like listening to my voice. Thanks. What is VO?

It is indeed a super cool bird. Wish I could have one land at MY window.

What a welcome compliment! It would be ANY day, of course, but today I’m sick, and you just gave my spirits a lift. Thank you. A week from Friday. I’ll post a follow up movie about how swallows fly that’ll probably interest you. Thanks again for commenting.

You're welcome, Brad. I'm addicted to filming swallows. The latest is about their hawk eyes and I'll post another one next week about how they fly--lots of Purple Martin footage in both of them. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie and thanks for commenting.

Well, your comment did prompt me to listen to the first minute or so. No, it doesn't need to be muted, but if I were doing it today, I'd pick up the pace and ease up a tad on the drama. I doubt you meant to be helpful, but you actually were.

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME oh noo,, it was to help ( the viewers). I like to watch my birds ( feeding) in silence. That's the reason I love nature - no human interaction 😂

@@michaelbarcz326 Okay. But you missed some valuable information. (And I would think that if you prefer no interaction, you'd watch the movie in silence--without comment.)

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME ok stop comment trolling and go watch your birds

@@michaelbarcz326 Good one!

And an unprecedented comment! On two counts. I've never heard the word "goated", so I googled it, hoping it was a good thing. Bingo. And obviously I was curious about another Alwood, since I've never heard from one outside our family circle. What part of the country are you in?

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I believe that you are the wife of Butch, who is my fathers uncle

I'm assuming you don't know any of these people, right?

NOW I understand why you thought this was surreal viewing! You're the grandson of Butch's brother, Tom! And listen to this coincidence: your grandmother, Judy, just called Connie (which is what everyone except his family calls him) two or three days ago. We hadn't been in touch with her for probably ten years. About all he remembers her saying about you is that you had studied abroad.

I've never had a chance to see them perch or nest in trees. Interesting. And yes, they're loud--don't know that I'd care to have them in my yard.

I understand why you wouldn't be sure it's the same bird all the time. As I said in the movie, I can't tell individual catbirds apart. But I'll bet you're right about it being the same one. At least, that was the conclusion my husband and I came to about the one that fed from our hands. Have you thought about offering it some dried mealworms?

This movie is six years old or something like that, and I don't recall what I said that you're referring to. Care to explain further?

Yeah, I gotta appreciate these sassy, selfish, entertaining birds. You do too, I gather.

I don't have any such childhood memories of Barn Swallows--more's the pity. I envy your recollection of them dancing around the mower. What a perfect description. All I can do is enjoy your memory with you. Oh, and by the way, I published a video two weeks ago about the eyesight of swallows. (They have eyes like hawks, not like songbirds.) And next up (June 28) is one about how swallows fly. I have loved making both of these--just can't get enough of those magical birds.

Well, my explanations are just good enough to help out if you get a good, close look at one of these hawks. But much of time, I'm thoroughly confused ... and I'm not even kidding. But anyway, I'm glad you thought the vid was useful. Thanks for commenting.

Were you looking to identify that call when you happened to watch this film, Paul? Or did finding out what that call was come as a bonus when you were watching this one? I hope you get to see him too. His colors are dull, I admit , but he’s still a handsome bird. And by the way, I did another couple of movies on the sounds he makes. He does a lot more than just meow. And I bet that if you knew about his other vocalizations, you’d find you are hearing him even more often than you realized.

You're welcome, and thanks for commenting.

Funny thing you should mention that because another viewer told me that he was falling asleep to my movies that night. And I take both of you in the spirit you meant it, that my commentary is soothing. Thanks for telling me so.

Well, happy I could help,Wren. (Is Wren Your first name or is it a screen name?) Mind if I ask what mountains you were in where you saw so many different species? Southeast Arizona maybe? Four years ago we visited a place called Santa Rita Lodge, but that was in the fall. I was told that if I came in the spring, I could get that many hummingbird species there.

It’s fun to see, right? And of course, it’s the smart move for the Brown Thrashers.

If I had thought to compare the Robins to a fox jumping, I would have. What a perfect description. Thanks for commenting, Andrew.