Rough-winged Swallow (preening)

Morning time is preening time…time to get your feathers on straight…time to look your best…private time!?!

I was watching from a discrete distance when these two Rough-winged Swallows were doing their early morning routines of fluffing and straightening their feathers. 

The male was singing and shaking. 

He shook violently to dislodge anything that shouldn’t be there.

He checked under his wings to make sure everything was right 

He occasionally glanced back to see if she was still there.

 

She was on the branch twenty feet behind him. She was already looking good.  Her fluff' and fix’n was finished. She was onto showing her stuff.  Her feathers were fresh and her tail was glowing in the desert sun.

He ventured back towards her.

He liked what he saw. 

He flew in for a visit.

(Fade to black)

She straightened her feathers again.

Time to start the day.

Allan

April 18, 2012