Some more pictures from the Spring. While visiting Westerly Creek, we found a colony of Cliff Swallows nesting under one of the bridges. Cliff Swallows typically build their nests from mud. In this image three swallows were waiting by the openings to their nest. Periodically, there would be activity as the swallows left and returned to their nest. Were these mates flying in and out? Were they bringing nesting material or food for hatchlings?
![3010-0024-Cliff-Swallows-Nesting-Westerly-Creek](https://matchgrun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3010-0024-Cliff-Swallows-Nesting-Westerly-Creek.jpg)
We made our way around one of the ponds, where this female Red-Winged Blackbird was perched.
![3010-0043-Female-Red-Winged-Blackbird-Westerly-Creek](https://matchgrun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3010-0043-Female-Red-Winged-Blackbird-Westerly-Creek.jpg)
Close by was a male bird that allowed me to get really close.
![3010-0058-Male-Red-Winged-Blackbird-Perched-Westerly-Creek](https://matchgrun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3010-0058-Male-Red-Winged-Blackbird-Perched-Westerly-Creek.jpg)
Here he was calling out. Probably trying to attract a mate.
![3010-0060-Male-Red-Winged-Blackbird-Calling-Out-Westerly-Creek](https://matchgrun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3010-0060-Male-Red-Winged-Blackbird-Calling-Out-Westerly-Creek.jpg)
Later during the afternoon, we met a group of kids along the trail and were sharing info on birds that we had seen. We pointed out this American Kestrel to the kids. It was hovering up above the creek, hunting for a meal. Kestrels typically catch small vermin (like a mouse or vole) and also grasshoppers and other bugs. No luck at this location. This Kestrel was working its way along the creek in search of prey.
![3010-0030-American-Kestrel-Hovering-Above-Westerly-Creek](https://matchgrun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3010-0030-American-Kestrel-Hovering-Above-Westerly-Creek.jpg)
This is a continuation of catching up with images that I have been meaning to post. Work around the house and other projects held up posting!