It’s feeding time at the Purple Martin Colony condo.
As the largest North American swallow, Purple martins are known for their death defying aerial acrobats and rocket speed entering into their nests.
Gathering in groups they migrate to the Amazon region in South America in the winter. Returning in the summer months they enjoy a variety of condo living offered by martin lovers throughout.
Dragonflies are a known favorite delicacy of martins and one mother was busy feeding her young. Darting about catching bugs mid-air, she returns with a dragon fly for lunch.
It’s not enough to bring the bug to baby, mom has to shove the bug down baby’s throat.
Down the hatch baby ! Dinner’s served!
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Wow! Great shots of dinner service 🙂
I was so excited to get these shots Tiny. Purple martins are tough to photograph.
What are the babies sleeping in? 🙂
Hey, there is nothing like room service right?
This is true LOL 😉
Super shots!!!
Thank you so much!
WOWEE!!!
Thanks sweetie!
What amazing looking nests, sorry condos, they’ve been provided – glorious captures! 🙂
Thank you so much Joanne. I love these condos too.
Intrigued by the “nest boxes”.
can you give me any more information?
Please.
These are called Gourd nests and are designed specifically for the Purple Martin. You can find them on a variety of internet shops. Here is one you can look at for more details.
https://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=BAB-DGR-12C
Wow – where or what are these nests? They look like some otherwordly spacecraft!
These are painted gourds designed specifically for the Purple Martins. Although there are other birds that like these for nests also.
This is in the backyard of a friends house. I want some but they’re expensive!
Love the shots, especially the last one in which the dragonfly wings are so prominent.
Can you believe these Mike? Shoving that big bug down that little throat. Amazed the heck out of me. Thanks Mike!
How on Earth did you get such magnificent shots?
First…I made friends with the property owner that has this colony. Second, I practiced, and then went to his house twice to get these captures. Timing was crucial to get the light right, and the technical part was a toughy.
Thanks Fatima !!
There is a purple martin condo like this in my local park. Good photos are very hard to get because of the speed of the birds and the height of the condo. This is a wonderful set of pictures. 😀
So glad you appreciate what effort it takes to get these Carolyn. They really do just zip in with no warning don’t they? And the dark against that white – really tough lighting. Thank you!
Three fantastic images
You are truly too kind Mark. Thank you so much!