Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallow, female, 6/1/08, Edwards NWR, Alviso
Barn Swallows have longer tails than other species of swallows, and this one uses the angle of the sun to make that tail look even longer.
Barn Swallow, adult female, 7/29/04, Edwards NWR, Alviso
Barn Swallow, adult male, 9/2/04, Palo Alto Baylands
Barn Swallow, male, 6/25/06, Marble Hot Springs Rd, Sierra Valley, Plumas Co
Male, above right, and directly left. Female, with paler breast, above left, and directly left.
Barn Swallow, female,  6/25/06, Marble Hot Springs Rd, Sierra Valley, Plumas Co
Barn Swallows, juveniles on nest, 7/30/04, Salinas State Beach, Monterey Co
A prolific pair of Barn Swallows nested in the eaves of the house of friends of ours on Monterey Bay, and produced three clutches in both 2003 and 2004. (The Birder's Handbook says two broods is usual for this species.) Left are the three young of the last clutch in August 2004 at the nest.  These birds have fledged, but are still returning to the nest for the night, and still clamoring to be fed by their parents. Below is a portrait shot of one of these three nestlings, taken away from the nest.
Barn Swallow, juvenile, 8/1/04, Salinas State Beach, Monterey Co
Barn Swallow, juvenile, 7/8/04, Palo Alto Baylands
A juvenile Barn Swallow, this one at Palo Alto Baylands, yells for food -- and is rewarded.
Barn Swallows, adult feeding young, 7/0/04, Palo Alto Baylands
Barn Swallow, juvenile, 7/13/06, Palo Alto Baylands
Another juvenile, more mature, also at Baylands.
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