Perhaps this really isn't a new project for me but it's new as finished work! I made some press molds from real shells and various shell shaped "found objects" a few years ago. I've done a lot of fun things with some of the shells, from using them on strawberry pots to using them as feet on planters.
One day it struck me that they would be fun to hang in the garden, so I drilled some holes in a series of them before I fired them. I glazed them and pretty well let them languish in a bin in the basement.
This year it occurred to me that I could use some of the jewelry wire I have been working with to hang these. DUH! I did the first two and put them to use out by me bluebird nest box in the front yard. I have listed the rest that are finished for sale.
I have posted a lot of pictures of my happy family here: www.facebook.com/richknobsales but here are some pics as well.
One day it struck me that they would be fun to hang in the garden, so I drilled some holes in a series of them before I fired them. I glazed them and pretty well let them languish in a bin in the basement.
This year it occurred to me that I could use some of the jewelry wire I have been working with to hang these. DUH! I did the first two and put them to use out by me bluebird nest box in the front yard. I have listed the rest that are finished for sale.
I have posted a lot of pictures of my happy family here: www.facebook.com/richknobsales but here are some pics as well.
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| Dad working hard! |
| Mom checks out the bathtub |
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Really getting into it! |
Here are items I am using for my own birds.
This one I fill with water as a birdbath:
This one I use as a feeder.
I put 10-15 freeze dried mealworms in it a couple of times a day.
The "teenage" birds from the first nesting are feeding the babies!
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I watched five eggs get laid, one per day, and then Mom sat on them for 12 days. 7 PM the 12th day, the first little one emerged, all wet and pink and hairy and seriously so ugly only his mother could love him!
| Where is everyone else? |
| FEEEED MEEEEEE!!!!! |
| Ploop! |
This last pic, they are 12 days old – well one is that old! The runt is at the back left, and he was born two days after the first one, who is on the front right and has feathers that are fluffing out now.
Here is an excellent website about this species:
Bluebirds have become very scarce as their native nesting habitats have been destroyed. They nest in a hollow in a tree at the edge of a clearing, by preference. They take readily to life in a nest box, however, and that's all they really need to make a big comeback. They are very friendly birds and politely tolerate you opening their box and looking at their babies every day. I bought my house several years ago at a garden center, and I have found that there are several listed for sale on ArtFire :) with prices starting at less than US $10.00. Mine has a latch on the front that lets me look at the babies. You always need a birdhouse that you can open and clean out at the end of the season, but most birds will not tolerate visitors while they are nesting.
They will be happy in a basic home like this one - I'm not sure it is set up to let you open it easily or not. You should clean it out thoroughly very season, and between sets of babies if it has become infested with ants or other things.
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=60209
Or you can get them a McMansion like this one:
Or you can get them a McMansion like this one:
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=101915
This one definitely opens for viewing:
This one definitely opens for viewing:
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2627194
This one does not:
This one does not:
Whatever you do, please support your local bird community! Help them make a comeback so that we can all enjoy that screaming blue flash and sweet warble!
